Debate Facilitation GuideThe Great Debate Teacher Facilitation Guide Lesson Guide Learning Objective Students will write persuasive arguments utilizing specific rhetorical appeals (Ethos, Logos, and Pathos) to support a stance on a school-related topic. Pacing Overview 5 min Warm-up: Quick Write 10 min Video Analysis: "Intro to Influence" 25 min Main Activity: The Great School Debate 5 min Closure: Performance & Peer Review Materials Needed Persuasion Power Slides Debate Topic Cards Speech Drafting Sheets Argument Ace Rubric 1. Warm-up (5 min) "What is the most convincing argument you ever heard? Why did it work?" Have students write their response on the back of their drafting sheet or in their journals. Prompt them to think about parents, teachers, or advertisements. 2. Video Viewing (10 min) Screen the video: "Intro to Influence: Persuasive Texts and Appeals" Key Discussion Points Ethos: Who is the speaker? (Character/Trust) Logos: What are the facts? (Logic/Reason) Pathos: How does it feel? (Emotion/Sympathy) Video Segment (6:09-9:51) Focus on how the "For" and "Against" teams use their specific assigned appeals. Ask students to identify specific words that signal the appeal (e.g., "Research shows" for Logos). 3. Main Activity: The Great School Debate (25 min) 1 Assign Topics: Hand out "Debate Topic Cards" or project them. Students can choose or be assigned a side. 2 Assign Appeals: Assign each student or group ONE specific appeal: Ethos, Logos, or Pathos. They MUST only use that appeal in their draft. 3 Drafting: Students use the "Speech Drafting Sheet" to write a 1-minute speech. Encourage them to use the checklist provided on the sheet. 4. Closure (5 min) Volunteers read their speeches. The rest of the class holds up a finger sign or calls out which appeal they heard. Use the Argument Ace Rubric for quick formative feedback. Extension: The Ultimate Argument For homework or the next class, have students rewrite their 1-minute speech into a full persuasive essay. Challenge: They must now blend all three appeals (Ethos, Logos, AND Pathos) into a single, cohesive argument. Differentiation Strategies Scaffolding (ELL/SpEd) Provide sentence frames for each appeal. Example: "According to my experience as..." (Ethos) or "The statistics clearly show that..." (Logos). Enrichment (High Ability) Ask students to incorporate a counter-argument using a different appeal than their primary assigned one.
Persuasion Power SlidesPersuasion Mastery The Great School Debate 8th Grade Rhetoric Ethos, Logos, Pathos Quick Write "What is the most convincing argument you ever heard? Why did it work?" Think about: A parent or teacher Think about: A viral advertisement Think about: A movie speech 5:00 Intro to Influence Case Study: Persuasia Embedded media Watch for Team Arguments Timestamp: 6:09 – 9:51 The Rhetorical Triangle Ethos Trust & Character Why should we trust you? Show your expertise, values, or credentials. Logos Facts & Reason What is the proof? Use data, statistics, logic, and "if-then" statements. Pathos Feelings & Story How does the audience feel? Use storytelling and vivid language. The Great School Debate 1 Pick Your Topic Choose a stance on a major school issue. 2 Target Your Appeal You will be assigned Ethos, Logos, or Pathos. 3 Draft Your Speech Write a 1-minute argument using ONLY your appeal. The Challenge "Don't cross the streams! If you have Logos, do NOT use Pathos. Stay pure to your assigned weapon." Can You Spot the Appeal? As your peers present their speeches, listen closely. Be ready to identify which rhetorical "weapon" they used to convince you. Identify Analyze Applaud
Debate Topic CardsThe Debate Docket Official School Issues Card Case Reference 8-RHTRC-2026 Instructions: Select one of the official dockets below. You must take a stance (FOR or AGAINST) and prepare your 1-minute speech using your assigned rhetorical appeal. Remember: Stay focused only on your assigned "weapon." Docket #001 The Homework Ban Should schools eliminate all required homework assignments to reduce student stress? Pro: Ban It Con: Keep It Docket #002 Phone-Free Zones Should middle schools implement a "Total Lockdown" policy where phones are kept in lockers all day? Pro: Lock 'em Con: Access Docket #003 The 10 AM Bell Should the school day start at 10:00 AM to align with teen sleep patterns, ending at 5:00 PM? Pro: Sleep Con: Late Day Docket #004 Open Campus Lunch Should 8th-grade students be allowed to leave campus during lunch periods to buy their own food? Pro: Freedom Con: Safety Docket #005 Dress Code Reform Should the school implement a mandatory "Formal Dress" policy once a week to prepare for professional life? Pro: Professional Con: Expression Docket #006 E-Sports vs. PE Should competitive video gaming (E-Sports) count as a Physical Education (PE) credit? Pro: Skill Con: Physical Property of the Persuasia Debate Union — For Classroom Use Only
Speech Drafting SheetSpeech Drafting Sheet The Great School Debate Name: Date: Assigned Mission Docket Topic: Stance: FOR AGAINST Assigned Appeal: ETHOS LOGOS PATHOS Weapon Specs "Use your assigned appeal exclusively. If you use facts (Logos) when you were assigned feelings (Pathos), your argument loses its pure power. Stick to your specialty!" 1-Minute Speech Draft Ethos Checklist Mention your experience Use a professional tone Show you care about values Logos Checklist Use "If... then..." logic Include data or stats Cite a study or "research" Pathos Checklist Start with "Imagine..." Use vivid, sensory words Tell a short heart-felt story
Argument Ace RubricArgument Ace Rubric Evaluation for 'The Great Debate' Score: ____ / 16 CriteriaNovice (1)Apprentice (2)Expert (3)Ace (4)Targeted Appeal How purely the assigned appeal (Ethos, Logos, or Pathos) was used. | Appeal is missing or incorrectly identified. | Appeal is attempted but relies heavily on other appeals. | Appeal is clear and consistent throughout the speech. | Appeal is masterfully executed with specific "weapon" keywords. | | Stance Clarity How clearly the writer's position on the docket is stated. | Stance is unclear; audience is confused. | Stance is stated but weak or lacks focus. | Stance is clearly stated and maintained. | Stance is bold, clear, and provides a compelling call to action. | | Content & Logic The quality of the arguments and supporting ideas. | Arguments are repetitive or don't make sense. | Arguments are logical but lack depth or detail. | Arguments are strong and provide specific examples. | Arguments are highly persuasive and leave the audience convinced. | | Delivery Eye contact, voice projection, and pace. | Difficult to hear or understand; no eye contact. | Speaks clearly but reads entirely from the page. | Good volume and pace; some eye contact with audience. | Professional delivery; uses tone to enhance the specific appeal. | Strengths (Notes on what worked well...) Target for Next Time (Notes on how to improve for the full essay...) Persuasia Debate Union Official Grade Sheet Lesson: The Great Debate
Mastering the Blend Essay PlannerThe Master's Blend Persuasive Essay Expansion Planner Extension Activity TRIPLE THREAT Name: The Final Challenge In your 1-minute speech, you used only one rhetorical weapon. Now, you must combine all three — Ethos, Logos, and Pathos — into a single, unstoppable persuasive essay. 1 The Introduction & Hook How will you grab attention? (Try a Pathos-heavy "Imagine" scenario or a shocking Logos statistic) Thesis Statement (State your stance clearly): 2 The Rhetorical Blend Ethos Body Establish credibility or shared values. Logos Body Provide the data, research, or logic. Pathos Body Evoke emotion and empathy. 3 The Closing Call to Action What should the reader do now? End with a final powerful thought. Master your words. Rule the room. — Persuasia Academy
