Start Here: Teaching Middle School Public Forum
In Public Forum Debate, students work in pairs of two to debate both sides of a topic. Public Forum is one of the most popular events and is a great entry point for new students and judges.
Topics are based on current events and change frequently, which gives students the opportunity to learn about a variety of subjects and keeps debates exciting and new.
Students present prepared cases, then engage in rebuttal and questioning periods with limited prep.
Students Will Be Able To:
- Write a persuasive speech that features complete arguments with a claim, data, warrant, and impact.
- Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning.
- Find, cut, cite, and organize evidence that supports their claims.
- Evaluate a speaker’s point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric, identifying any fallacious reasoning or exaggerated or distorted evidence.
- Listen effectively and respond to attacks against their arguments with limited prep using logic and/or evidence.
- Complete a full Public Forum round.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| LESSON 1: Intro to Public Forum Debate | 1 |
| LESSON 2: Speech Order, Times, and Speaker Responsibilities | 4 |
| LESSON 3: Components of an Argument | 7 |
| LESSON 4: Research: Gathering Evidence | 12 |
| LESSON 5: Crossfire | 16 |
| LESSON 6: Research: Cutting Cards | 20 |
| LESSON 7: Building a Case | 35 |
| LESSON 8: Flowing | 45 |
| LESSON 9: Rebuttals | 53 |
| LESSON 10: Weigh and Frame | 57 |
| LESSON 11: Rhetoric | 63 |
| LESSON 12: In-Class Debates | 68 |
Enter your email to access a sample of our “Start Here: Teaching Middle School Public Forum” collection.