Video

How to prepare for a debate

Mel Pope, international debate champion and expert debate coach, talks to Noisy Classroom trainer Harold Raitt as she leads pupils from Clapton Girls’ Academy through the preparation process for their debate on “This House would ban cars from city centres”.

In this video, there are four teams of two preparing to debate in the British Parliamentary (BP) format. However, the 5 steps are just as useful for any debating format.

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The video was funded by Linklaters as part of their work with schools in Hackney.

Other videos featuring secondary school debaters:

This House believes that the Treaty of Versailles was the main cause of World War II

GCSE pupils from Hackney debate this history exam classic in a 2-a-side format with audience questions.

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This House would ban cars from city centres

Students from Clapton Girls’ Academy debate this interesting Geography motion in British Parliamentary (BP) format.

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This House believes that Romeo and Juliet’s parents were responsible for their children’s deaths

Two debate teams, both alike in dignity, in fair Verona, where we lay our scene …

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