Argument: Battle Royale 2nd Edition! (Ongoing Debate Practice Games)

NOTE: This is the 2nd Edition (on-going) of Argument: Battle Royale, a fan favorite class! Even if you haven't yet taken the original Argument: Battle Royale, you can still have a great time in this on-going class. The two classes share the same format, but DO NOT build on each other! 

What better way to build confidence as a public speaker and practice effective persuasion/argument than with a fast-paced, silly game? In this class, students will play several rounds of a thrilling game called Argument: Battle Royale! To begin, students will learn what components go into an effective argument and will observe concrete examples of both effective and poor arguments for comparison. Then, the fun continues as we begin the first round of Argument: Battle Royale! Each student will be partnered with an argument partner. Throughout the game, each student will have the chance to fill the role of participant AND judge multiple times as we rotate through partner groups. Before the game begins, participants will be reminded how to effectively and professionally verbalize their argument and judges will be reminded of how to listen impartially and make mental notes of who's argument is more polished. 

Class Format: 

ROUND 1 

Participants: 
1. The first Participant group (2 students) will receive an engaging question, such as "Aliens from outer space are: a. Here and living among us or b. Do not exist" 
2. Each participant will then be randomly assigned a stance to argue and given a few moments to prepare their argument 
3. Let the argument begin! Participant 1 will argue their point for 1 minute while Participant 2 and the Judges listen attentively 
4. Participant 2 will argue their point for 1 minute while Participant 1 and the Judges listen attentively
5. After both participants have argued their point, they will then listen to what the judges have to say and learn who won the argument based on the judges feedback! 

Judges: 
1. Listen to each Participant argue their point during their allotted one minute 
2. Briefly discuss each participant's effective points and compare the effective of the two arguments 
3. Decide together which participant won the argument and reveal to the Participant group their decision! 

ROUND 2, ROUND 3, etc. 

Repeat above cycle until each Participant group (2 students) has had a chance to compete! When a student is not competing against their follow participant, they will serve as a judge! 

Weekly Themes (first five weeks):

Week of November 8th - Lions, Tigers, Bears, Oh My! Animals
Week of November 15th - Who Will Win? Fictional Character Battles 
Week of November 22nd - Positively Delicious! Favorite Foods 
Week of November 29th - 3,2,1 Blast Off! Aliens, Extraterrestrials, Space Travel 
Week of December 6th - Would You Rather? Impossibly Difficult Choices