Session 1 · AUTHOR: Hear Voices
Steel-man the opposition
- 15 minWrite the strongest possible case against your position, as if you believed it.
- 20 minMini-debate in fours: argue the side you disagree with. Opponents rebut using 'They say… but the evidence shows…'.
- 10 minInterview plan: who outside the class sees this differently? Write three open questions to ask them.
- 5 minRewrite your position if the debate changed your mind. It's allowed.
Session 2 · AUTHOR: Organise
Build the structure
- 15 minTransitions that steer the reader: 'however', 'as a result', 'even so', 'consequently', 'conversely'. Sort them into add, contrast, cause and concede.
- 30 minDraft the full argument: introduction with position, body paragraphs, a rebuttal paragraph that states and answers the other side.
- 5 minHighlight every transition. Is there a jump the reader has to guess?
Getting started
Rebut one counter-argument in one paragraph using the 'They say… but…' frame.
Stretch
Rebut two counter-arguments and honestly concede one point: 'It's true that…, but…'.
Checkpoint
The draft states and answers at least one real counter-argument with evidence.
Activities for this week
- Four corners: How do different people see this issue?
- Rebuttal ping-pong: Can I answer an objection on the spot?
- Transition relay: How do I steer my reader from one idea to the next?
Useful this week
- Debating resources ↗ Guides to rebuttal, speaker roles and example debates.
- Mana Mokopuna ↗ Why children's views must be heard in decisions that affect them.