“Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel.”

- Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Problem

Many 8th-grade students who are new to public speaking struggle with debate skills, especially those who are English language learners. These students need support to gain the skills and confidence needed to excel in the world of Model UN.

The lack of resources for these students can lead to a lack of engagement and participation in Model UN conferences, which can hinder their ability to develop important collaborative diplomacy skills and address global issues effectively.

Solution

I developed a module specifically designed to support 8th-grade students who are new to public speaking, including many who are English language learners. The module equips them with debate skills for a Model UN Conference, where they represent a country and practice collaborative diplomacy to address global issues effectively.

The module includes interactive activities, videos, and lessons that help students develop their debate skills in a fun and engaging way. It also provides teachers with resources and lesson plans that make it easy for them to integrate the module into their curriculum.

Lesson Plan:

Title: Building Persuasive Skills in Debate

Grade Level: 8th Grade

Objective: To introduce students to debate techniques and persuasive language, help them become comfortable with public speaking, understand the rhetorical triangle, and practice giving and receiving feedback on speeches.

Materials:

1. Short story about Greta Thunberg

2. Video analyzing JFK's inaugural address

3. Slide deck on persuasive language and rhetorical devices

4. Whiteboard and markers

5. Timer or stopwatch

6. Index cards for giving feedback

7. List of debate topics submitted by students

Lesson Plan:

Introduction (10 minutes):

- Begin by welcoming the students and explaining the importance of debate skills in Model UN.

- Briefly introduce Greta Thunberg as an example of how persuasive speech can drive change.

Understanding Debate Techniques (15 minutes):

1. Introduction to Persuasive Language:

- Define persuasion and discuss why it's essential in Model UN.

- Present the slide deck on persuasive language and rhetorical devices. Cover ethos (credibility), pathos (emotional appeal), and logos (logical reasoning).

2. Analyzing JFK's Inaugural Address (10 minutes):

- Show the video analyzing JFK's inaugural address as an example of persuasive language in a historical context.

- Discuss how JFK used ethos, pathos, and logos in his speech.

Topic Selection (5 minutes):

- Ask each student to share one of the debate topics they prepared before class. Write these topics on the whiteboard.

Mini Debates (20 minutes):

1. Randomly select two students to debate each other on one of the topics.

2. Each student has 2 minutes to present their argument. Encourage them to incorporate elements of the rhetorical triangle.

3. After the debate, have a short Q&A session where students can ask questions or offer counter-arguments.

4. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each speaker's presentation.

Feedback Session (10 minutes):

1. Distribute index cards to each student.

2. In pairs, students provide constructive feedback to each other regarding their debate performance. They should focus on elements like clarity, use of ethos, pathos, and logos, and overall persuasiveness.

3. Collect the index cards with feedback to review later or discuss in the next class.

Wrap-Up (5 minutes):

- Summarize the key takeaways from the class: understanding persuasive language, the rhetorical triangle, and the importance of practice.

- Encourage students to continue practicing their debate skills at home.

Homework (optional):

- Assign students to prepare a short persuasive speech on a topic of their choice, using what they've learned about debate techniques and the rhetorical triangle.

Assessment:

Assessment in this class can be both formative and summative. Formative assessment includes monitoring students during the debates and providing immediate feedback. Summative assessment can be done by evaluating the feedback they give to their peers and their performance in future debates.

This lesson plan integrates real-world examples, videos, and a slide deck to help students develop their debate skills and confidence in public speaking while also learning persuasive techniques and the rhetorical triangle.

Impact

Increased student engagement and participation in Model UN conferences
Students feeling more confident in their debate skills after completing the module

Cultivating 8th Graders' Model UN Debate Skills