Project: Modern World Issues

Objective: To be able to build and refute an argument during a debate.

Task: You are now senators debating a controversial topic in your country. In
groups, write an essay to argue your point of view. Then, participate in a
debate to present your arguments.
Procedure:
1. Discuss local issues with your class. Then, choose one issue you
would like to debate.
For example:

Drugs should be legalized in Colombia.

In the last Colombian presidential election, the best vote was
blank.
Homosexual couples should be allowed to adopt children in
Colombia.
Child rapists should receive the death penalty.
Abortion is wrong and should be illegal.

2. Look for information in English about this issue.

3. Write an essay to argue your point of view.
Steps to write your essay:
1. Introduction: Write a paragraph to introduce your thesis statement
(Thesis statement: the main point of your argument) and the
supporting points.
2. Body: Write two or three supporting paragraphs to build your
argument. Write a topic sentence for your main ideas. Then, list your
supporting evidence. Try to avoid personal statements such as I
think, you should, we have.
3. Conclusion: Write a paragraph to summarize your thesis statement
and supporting points.
4. Cite your sources
How to build an argument
1. Write a thesis statement (Thesis statement: the main point of
your argument).

2. Write your supporting points and give examples to expand your

ideas.
3. Use linking words to connect your ideas better.
4. Include a concluding sentence.
Format: Use 12-point font, double-spaced.
Oral Presentation: Senate Debate
Task: You are going to participate in the senate debate on bills suggested to
remedy a social problem.
Procedure:
1. Teacher introduces the rules of the debate.
2. Each senator has 3 to 5 minutes to present his/her arguments.
3. After listening to the arguments, senators have 2 to 3 minutes to
refute other senators arguments.
4. After listening to all speeches, all members the members of the
senate will choose the best arguments.
Online resources:
Writers workshop: http://bogglesworldesl.com/lessons/2002mar.htm
Debate project: http://sanecheved.wix.com/speaking-in-english

Rubric to assess this project

Project Level 9, 10 & 11 - Summative Assessment (20%)
Criteria to Assess Students
Name: ___________________________________________
Date: ____________________________________________

Poor

Needs
improvement

Fair

Good

Outstanding

1-2

3-4

5-6

7-8

9-10

1-2

3-4

5-6

7-8

9-10

Written Exercise
Composition: his/her text accomplish the objective of the
exercise.
Language Structure: he/she presents ideas with appropriate
language choices/construction. The student produces the
structures to argue a point of view such as: (1) expressions to
give opinions, e.g. From my point of view; (2) vocabulary
related to social issues, e.g. discrimination, unemployment,
child labor, homelessness; (3) logical connectors, e.g. On the

Marks
criteri

other hand.

Capitalization and punctuation: he/she uses capitalization

and punctuation properly.

1-3

4-6

7-9

10-12

13-15

Oral Presentation
Communicative skills: he/she presents ideas clearly (ability
to communicate). Shows spontaneity, originality and good
vocabulary.
Preparation: he /she looks prepared for the activity.
Pronunciation: he/she speaks without major pronunciation
errors, and his/her pronunciation is clear and accurate.
Comments:

Total marks:_______/

Project Level 9,10 &11 by Alejandra Jimnez Quintero is licensed under a Creative
Commons Reconocimiento-NoComercial-CompartirIgual 4.0 Internacional License
(September, 2014)