Debate Skills for Grade 6

This worksheet introduces 6th-grade students to fundamental debate skills, including understanding arguments, identifying evidence, and constructing counterarguments.

Grade 6 ELA WritingGenre WritingDebate Skills

Use This Worksheet

Includes

TextFill in the BlanksMultiple Choice2 Short AnswerTrue / False

Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.1CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.1

Topics

ELAWritingDebate SkillsGrade 6

8 sections · Free to use · Printable

← More ELA worksheets for Grade 6

Debate Skills Workshop

Name:

Date:

Score:

Welcome to your Debate Skills workshop! This worksheet will help you understand the basics of debating, including how to form an argument, find evidence, and respond to others. Read each section carefully and answer all questions.

What is a Debate?

A debate is a formal discussion on a particular topic in a public meeting or legislative assembly, in which opposing arguments are put forward. The goal of a debate is to persuade an audience or a judge that your side of the argument is more valid than your opponent's.

Key Parts of a Debate:

1. **Proposition/Motion:** The statement or topic being debated. Example: "School uniforms should be mandatory." 2. **Affirmative Side:** The team that supports the proposition. 3. **Negative Side:** The team that opposes the proposition. 4. **Argument:** A reason or set of reasons given with the aim of persuading others that an action or idea is right or wrong. 5. **Evidence:** Facts, examples, statistics, or expert opinions used to support an argument. 6. **Rebuttal/Counterargument:** An argument against an opposing argument.

1. The statement being discussed in a debate is called the .

2. The team that agrees with the proposition is the side.

3. Facts and statistics used to support a point are called .

4. When you argue against an opponent's point, you are making a .

Read the following statement and determine if it is an argument or just a statement of fact.

1. All students should have recess every day because it helps them focus better in class.

Argument

Statement of Fact

2. The Earth revolves around the Sun.

Argument

Statement of Fact

Consider the proposition: "Students should be allowed to use cell phones during lunch in school."

1. Write one argument FOR this proposition (affirmative side).

2. Write one argument AGAINST this proposition (negative side).

1. It is important to use personal opinions as your main evidence in a debate.

True

False

2. A good rebuttal directly addresses and weakens an opponent's argument.

True

False

Imagine your friend says, "Video games are a waste of time and don't teach you anything useful."

1. How could you respond with a counterargument, using evidence (even if it's general knowledge)?