Debating our destiny
October 10, 2008
We find ourselves in the middle of the presidential debate season. Many students watch the debates. But, do they know how to analyze what they are viewing? PBS hosts a website with the purpose of helping students make sense of presidential debates of the past and the present. Debating our destiny provides resources including video and text primary documents, discussion questions and lesson ideas, which can be useful in any lesson aimed at helping students view debates with a more critical eye and to encourage students' engagement in the election.
Discussion Questions:
- What is the purpose of having presidential debates?
- What skills and knowledge are required to be able to critically analyze the candidates' ideas presented in a debate? What are the implications of watching a debate without these skills?
- What is more important in a debate - style or substance? Explain.
- How does the format of the debate influence the information and messages candidates present?
- If you were to design the format of a presidential debate, what structure would you choose? Why?
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