This document provides templates and checklists to help students organize an argument for a debate topic. It includes sections to brainstorm potential reasons for and against a topic, organize the strongest reasons and supporting evidence, and develop rebuttals against opposing arguments. The goal is to help students structure an effective debate argument by systematically considering different perspectives and supporting their own position.

1. Debate Topic: ________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
For Against
Name: Class: Date:
Brainstorm
Brainstorm Checklist: Complete this checklist for EACH point in your brainstorm.
 For ( ) or Against () ?
 Reason (R) or (S)
 Group together each reason with its matching support(s). Use circles or different coloured ink.
Remember: A reason is your thought or idea about why you believe you are right. A support is something that
proves your reasoning is true.

2. Organize Checklist:
 Reasons are in order of most important to
least important
 Each reason is different and not too similar to your other reasons
 Each support clearly proves the reason that it is matched with
FOR:
Reason #1: __________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Support #1: __________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Reason #2: __________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Support #2: __________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Reason #3: __________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Support #3: __________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Organize

3. Organize Checklist:
 Reasons are in order of most important to least
important
 Reasons are not too similar
 Each support clearly proves the reason that it is
matched with
Against:
Reason #1: __________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Support #1: __________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Reason #2: __________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Support #2: __________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Reason #3: __________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Support #3: __________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Organize

4. Choose one reason FOR the topic
and one reason AGAINST the topic.
Write a reason or an example that
proves why that reason is wrong.
FOR Reason:
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Rebuttal: ___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
AGAINST Reason:
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Rebuttal: ___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Rebuttal
Which side is the
winning team?