35 Built-In Practice: Debate & Philosophical Chairs

Read the MPR News article to develop a debate topic.

MPR News article: “As Feds Raise Smoking Age, Debate Isn’t Yet Over In Minnesota”

Take time to ESTABLISH YOUR PERSPECTIVE. Ask yourself the following questions:

• What is the topic at hand?
• What do you think about the issue?
• What is the most important reason why you think this way?
• What are the advantages? Disadvantages?
• Who does it impact?
• What are the practicalities (e.g., cost, time, resources, etc…)
• What else should we know about this topic?

*For instructors: additional option: reversing students’ original debate perspective beforehand

Prior to class, put a long piece of [masking] tape up on the wall—representing a continuum. One end represents the strongly agree side, the other end is strongly disagreeing, and everything in between might be views leaning one way or the other.

–Hand out a post-it to each student—they should write their name on it
–Student place their post it somewhere on the masking tape continuum
–Instructors–find out the half-way point on the line. That equally divided place becomes the debate sides
–Reverse and flip flop student original perspective

ANTICIPATE the opposing perspective:

Think of two opposing points that people on the other side will make (against your side). Plan your own rebuttal against those two opposing perspectives. How would you argue against their views? Brainstorm ideas. Write them down.

Research and Write: You have a few research tasks. Check out the following:

1.) Consider your already-brainstormed anticipated opposing perspective and your rebuttal(s). Do a little credible research. *Reminder: you can find more about credible research on page 14+ of this text.

2.) Read through the research. Take notes (*Reminder: you can refresh yourself on notetaking strategies by looking at pages 73+ of our text). Find at least two pieces of evidence/places of text to reference and use later on during the debate. Write the information down and remember to fully cite the information. Include your own perspective on the ideas.

On the day of the DEBATE: Philosophical chairs method

Here are the basic rules…

1. One person speaks at a time

2. To initiate speaking, say the person’s name and then throw the ball.

3. Before you get to talk, you will need to restate what the person before you said

4. Before you are able to talk again, there will need to be at least two people on your “side” who have already spoken (before you get to speak again).

5. Throughout the course of the discussion, you will have opportunity to “move sides” if your perspective shifts