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Teaching Strategy

Debate: Craft a Speech

Students deepen their understanding of any topic with step-by-step support to craft the introduction, argument, and conclusion of a compelling speech.

Strategy type
Reasoning Skills
Grade
6, 7, 8
Class Format
Individual or Small Group
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Virtues

Integrity

Strategy

Quick Overview

Students deepen their understanding of any topic with step-by-step support to craft the introduction, argument, and conclusion of a compelling speech.

Skill Objective

Students will…

  • Transform a set of ideas and arguments into a well-structured, compelling speech.
  • Practice oral communication and argumentation by writing and presenting speeches to their classmates

Content Objective

Students will…

  • Analyze historical sources, actions, and events
  • Develop and defend an evidence‑based interpretation, using primary and secondary sources.

Civics Skills Connection

Reasoning Skills:

  • Evaluate evidence: Students engage with primary and secondary sources
  • Analytical/critical thinking: Students construct arguments

_______

Prep ahead

  • Provide background information, or primary and secondary sources for students to use in their research
    • Provide or approve research sources students will use (e.g., articles, textbook pages, primary source excerpts).
    • Ensure students understand key historical or topical context before writing.
  • Print out the Craft a Speech handout for each student to use throughout the activity

Strategy Steps

  • Distribute the Craft a Speech handout and let students know they will first analyze a model speech together as a class.
  • As you analyze the model together, guide students through each part of the speech:
    • Hook and transition
    • Claim and evidence
    • Conclusion
  • Students complete the graphic organizer using their own speech topic and evidence.
    • Offer time cues as needed to help students stay on pace to prioritize each section of the organizer

Customizations

  • Option 1: Review it
    • After each step on the organizer (hook and transition, claim and evidence, conclusion) give feedback to students or have student’s peer edit
  • Option 2: Present it
    • Students present their speeches to the class, either in person or recorded.
  • Option 3: Assess it
    • Educator collects the Craft a Speech handout and reviews the required sections.
    • If students are presenting speeches, the educator can assess the speech while it is being delivered.
  • Option 4: Partner it
    • Educator partners students with opposing points of view to compare their arguments and evidence via a strategy such as Learn to Listen, Listen to Learn

 

Standards

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