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Parliamentary DebateThis is quite similar to mini-debates except that it involves the whole
class and includes a lot more noise (and you thought the mini-debates
were noisy!). Show a clip of an actual parliamentary debate from a
film such as The Pallisers or from BBC News, in which sides stomp
against the opposite side and cheer for their own side.
Students may
be separated by actual views or you may number off (you decide, and
your decision may be based on cliques in the class). Then give them 20
or more minutes to organize their points and to choose spokespeople and
givers of evidence/ support.
Arrange the chairs so that the opposite
teams face each other in rows, with the six speakers on the “bench” in
the front row and a person in a fancy wig in the middle keeping order.
You may need a timekeeper as well.
The two teams are called the Proposition and the Opposition.
Here is a version of the format:
First proposition constructive speech 2 minutes (side cheers for itself)
Support given by another speaker (2 minutes)
First opposition constructive speech 2 minutes (side cheers for itself)
Support given by another speaker (2 minutes)
Second proposition constructive speech 2 minutes (cheers)
Support given by another speaker (2 minutes)
Second opposition constructive speech 2 minutes (cheers)
Support given by another speaker (2 minutes)
Opposition rebuttal by 2 completely different people (4 minutes)
Proposition rebuttal by 2 completely different people (4 minutes)
You
MIGHT follow this by a “division of the house,” in which people
actually walk through a door to the right (more conservative side of
the proposition) or left (more liberal side of the proposition). In
this part, they can vote in whatever way they choose. Did you know that this is actually the way the House of Commons votes still?
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