How to teach debate: (part two) improving your students’ ability to ask questions

“If you do not know how to ask the right question, you discover nothing.” – W. Edwards Deming

Debate is hugely beneficial to learning, exam performance and life [see ‘How to teach debate (part 1)’].

The two essential skills needed for a successful debate are the ability to listen and to ask questions.

Not any old questions though, questions that strengthen your arguments.

So, here are ways to teach your students how to ask excellent questions so that they debate successfully:

1. Model several types of questions and explain why you ask the questions you do. This gives your students insight into the thinking that goes into asking questions, shares your techniques, and helps them plan their questions.

2. Teach them different types of questions. For example:

Open-ended questions for finding out more information or exploring a topic. ‘Might’ is a useful word to use here, as it encourages exploration and creativity. E.g. How might school deal with students’ mobile phones in classrooms.
Closed questions for persuading people to your way of thinking, shutting down your opponent in debate or getting an answer quickly. E.g. Is it fair that children from poorer families are less likely to go to university?
Rhetorical questions don’t require answers. Use them for making powerful points when persuading or arguing with which it is difficult to disagree. E.g. Don’t we want to act on climate change now before it’s too late?

3. Promote the importance of asking good questions as much as answering questions. Have a weekly class vote on the ‘colossal question of the week’ posed by a class member. As you go through the week, take note the contender questions, and encourage your students to do the same.

4. Ensure your students know how to challenge their opponents’ views with respect. Supply examples of ways to do this, for instance, ‘With all due respect, your argument is full of contradictions… .’

Does your students’ confidence need boosting?

Allow thinking time, so students can formulate questions in their head, and have time to write them down.
Give opportunities for students to try out their questions on a learning buddy or small group first, before larger groups or the whole class.
Provide examples of good questions that students can use. These can be given in a list to all students, alternatively, distribute index cards to each student on which is written one example question for them to use in the course of their debate.
Remind your students that asking questions is evidence of a creative and enquiring mind, which makes the questioner look smarter, not dumber.

The more you create a culture of questioning in your classroom, the more comfortable your students will feel. And hopefully, the more enjoyable your time with the class becomes.

Do your students need motivating?

To persuade your students that debating is an excellent skill to have, remind them of the potential benefits to their lives outside school… staying out later on the weekends, going to that party, updating the smartphone etc.