How to Make a Valid Argument: Debate 101
Welcome future debaters! In this class, we will learn the three basic tactics of argumentation: Ethos, Logos and Pathos.
Seattle Debate Academy
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5.0
Number of reviews:(548)
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What's included
1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hoursAssessment
At the end of the lesson, students will receive individualized feedback on their strengths and suggestions for continued improvement.Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 6
Outside of art, every piece of content we consume - from a math equation to an essay - is an argument. In this class, we will learn the three basic tactics of argumentation: Ethos, Pathos, and Logos. We will then practice making arguments on policy issues (e.g. whether students should be given more homework by teachers) using the three tactics and discuss the pros and cons of each tactic. Students will learn to think critically about the arguments made by others and to examine the strengths of their own arguments. Specifically, the second half of the class will focus on: 1. The creation of a constructive argument (e.g. "Students should be given less homework by teachers so that they can focus on after-school activities...") 2. The use of a rebuttal (e.g. "TV and video games are responsible for limiting student participation in after school activities, not homework...") 3. The use of weighing in an argument (e.g. "Even if homework does limit after-school activities, the value of homework is greater than playing little league baseball..."). My teaching style is heavily focused on student-generated ideas and throughout the course, I will introduce concepts and then guide students as they interact with those concepts. Students will generate over 75% of the total talk-time throughout the course No prior knowledge or skill is required for this beginner-level debate class.
Learning Goals
Students will develop a basic foundation for good argumentation. These debate skills are a lead-in to competitive argumentation activities, especially Policy Debate, Public Forum Debate, and Mock Trial.
Other Details
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined May, 2020
5.0
548reviews
Star Educator
Popular
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 teachers have a Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's Degree in English Language and Literature from University of Florida
Bachelor's Degree in Economics from University of Southern California
Welcome!
We're a very small team of educators who strongly believe in the transformational power of debate. We find that when debaters are having fun and working together as a team, they readily find the motivation to unpack even the most rigorous and academically challenging topics. This then translates to debaters having substantially more confidence and intellectual curiosity to create great ideas and then really share them with the world.
Our current and former competitive debaters have competed at the highest levels, with many of our students reaching and even winning nationals in Public Forum, Policy, LD and Parliamentary Debate.
Even more importantly, we find that well-coached and moderated debates are an enormously powerful tool for learners. Having the ability and confidence to share ideas, defend ideas, and expose weaknesses in ideas is something that can truly carry students throughout their entire lives - as does having the wisdom and humility to change your mind and realize that everyone is sometimes mistaken.
We're always available for questions and otherwise, never stop learning!
To learn more about our coaches, please copy and past this following URL:
https://www.canva.com/design/DAGOQyFywFw/SHzG7YqUAIlGTNGSNqLMcQ/view?utm_content=DAGOQyFywFw&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=editorReviews
Live One-Time Class
$12
per classMeets once
55 min
Completed by 303 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-12
4-6 learners per class
