Internet Academy Resources

Creative Debate

What is a Creative Debate?

A Creative Debate is an interaction between two people who support opposite points of view on a debatable topic.

How will a Creative Debate help me read better?

A Creative Debate helps you to

• Better understand another person’s point of view.
• See both sides of an issue.
• Broaden your ideas.
• Be more open to thinking creatively.

These are things that a skilled reader must be able to do.

How could I use a Creative Debate in a class?

Think about a discussion (debate) within your family about whether or not to have a pet. Maybe someone in your family was "for" having a pet and another person in your family was "against" having a pet. Did everyone agree immediately or was it necessary to convince others to agree with your point of view?

Think also about how the multiple sides of the argument gave you a better understanding of other family members’ points of view. You might not have agreed with their opinions, but you could better understand their reasoning.

At the Internet Academy, a Creative Debate might be written as an essay or done in a Class Chat. Here’s how it might be set up:

1. You are given a topic for debate.
2. You are assigned a position either for or against the topic.
3. You debate the topic from the point of view assigned to you.
   For example, in an English class you might
   • Assume the identity of a character in a story.
   • Take on the character’s mannerisms, posture, or voice.
   • Present the character’s view on the debate topic.
4. You do not necessarily have to agree with the view you present.
5. After the experience you are asked to reflect on the following questions.
   • How difficult was it to share information from a different perspective?
   • Why was it difficult?
   • What did you learn?
   • What might you do differently next time?