Literary Debate Prompts

Choose one of the following prompts to debate with your partner. Remember to construct persuasive arguments and respond to counterarguments with empathy.

Prompt 1: Character Motivation

Debate Question: Was [Character A] (from a previously read class novel, e.g., Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird) primarily motivated by a sense of moral duty or by a desire for personal recognition?

Consider:

• Specific actions and dialogue of the character.
• The context of the story and societal expectations.
• Potential counterarguments regarding alternative motivations.

Prompt 2: Author's Message

Debate Question: Does [Author B] (from a previously read class novel/short story, e.g., Edgar Allan Poe in "The Tell-Tale Heart") intend to critique societal norms or explore the psychological depths of an individual?

Consider:

• Themes and symbols present in the work.
• Literary devices used by the author.
• Different interpretations of the text.

Prompt 3: Impact of Setting

Debate Question: To what extent does the setting in [Literary Work C] (e.g., the dystopian society in 1984) drive the plot and character development, rather than merely serving as a backdrop?

Consider:

• How the setting creates conflict or opportunity.
• The ways characters interact with and are shaped by their environment.
• Arguments that minimize the setting's influence.

Partner Debate Activity: Empathetic Argumentation

Objective:

To practice constructing persuasive arguments and responding to counterarguments with empathy and active listening.

Instructions:

1. Form Pairs: Work with a partner.
2. Choose a Prompt: Refer to the Literary Debate Prompts and select one question to debate.
3. Assign Roles (5 minutes):
   • Speaker A: Will argue for one side of the chosen prompt.
   • Speaker B: Will argue for the opposing side of the chosen prompt.
   • You will switch roles halfway through the activity.
4. Prepare Arguments (5 minutes): Individually, spend a few minutes outlining your main points, supporting evidence from the text, and anticipating potential counterarguments.
5. Round 1: Speaker A Presents (3 minutes):
   • Speaker A presents their argument.
   • Speaker B actively listens, takes notes, and does not interrupt.
6. Round 1: Speaker B Responds (3 minutes):
   • Speaker B offers a rebuttal, addressing Speaker A's points with empathy and a respectful tone. Focus on understanding Speaker A's perspective before presenting your counterargument.
   • Speaker A actively listens.
7. Switch Roles (2 minutes): Take a moment to switch roles. Speaker B will now present their initial argument, and Speaker A will prepare to respond.
8. Round 2: Speaker B Presents (3 minutes):
   • Speaker B presents their argument.
   • Speaker A actively listens, takes notes, and does not interrupt.
9. Round 2: Speaker A Responds (3 minutes):
   • Speaker A offers a rebuttal, addressing Speaker B's points with empathy and a respectful tone. Focus on understanding Speaker B's perspective before presenting your counterargument.
   • Speaker B actively listens.

Reflection Questions (to be discussed briefly after the debate, or completed as a cool-down):

• What was challenging about debating with empathy?
• What did you learn from actively listening to your partner's viewpoint?
• How did focusing on understanding rather than just winning impact your debate?

Cool Down: Reflection Exit Ticket

Name: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________

Reflect on your debate experience today. Be honest and thoughtful in your answers.

1. Describe one moment during your partner debate when you felt you successfully practiced empathy. What did you do or say that demonstrated empathy?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Describe one moment where you could have improved your empathetic listening or tone. What would you do differently next time?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Why is it important to approach disagreements, whether in school or in life, with both strong arguments and empathy?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. How might the skills of empathetic debate help you in a real-life situation outside of school?