Climate Change Debate Assignment

Climate Change Debate Assignment

Choose a side (for, or against) of one of the debate topics listed below. Conduct research relating to the topic and prepare a written debate which must include:

1)opening statements- your assertion(s) about the chosen topic

2) arguments- reasons that support your assertion

3) counter-arguments- refutation(s) that someone may make against your assertion and theirsupporting reasons

4) concluding statements- summary of your assertion and reasons why it is the best position

Debate topics:

• Canadian citizens should be doing more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

• Canadian industry should be doing more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

• The Canadian government should be doing more to help in the reduction of greenhouse gases emissions.

• Should greenhouse gases related to the production of goods be attributed to the country that is producing the goods or to the country that is importing them?

• Canada needs to produce more sources of renewable energy.

• Climate change is good for Canada in terms of a reduction in snowfall (from the point of view of citizens and governments).

Climate Change Debate Assignment Rubric

Level 1 –
Below expectations / Level 2 –
Approaches expectations / Level 3 –
Meets expectations / Level 4 –
Exceeds expectations
Knowledge/ Understanding / Minimal knowledge
• attempts to use terminology
• includes limited information on topic / Partial knowledge
• uses terminology with some difficulty (4-6 errors)
• includes some information on topic / Substantial knowledge
• uses terminology accurately and effectively (1-2 errors)
• includes required information on topic / Thorough knowledge
• uses terminology accurately and effectively
• includes substantial information on topic
Written Communication / Communicates with difficulty
writing and format are unclear, sources not documented properly, numerous spelling/ grammatical errors / Communicates with some difficulty
writing/ format are somewhat clear, sources documented somewhat properly, some spelling/ grammatical errors / Communicates clearly
writing/ format are clear, sources documented properly and few spelling/ grammatical errors / Communicates very clearly
writing/ format are clear, sources documented properly, almost free of spelling/ grammatical errors
Thinking / Demonstrates some thought and analysis
• answers few questions regarding topic somewhat correctly
• limited attempt at analysis on topic and associated issues / Demonstrates thought and analysis
• answers some questions regarding topic somewhat correctly
• limited analysis on topic and associated issues
• proper analysis of one source / Demonstrates substantial thought and analysis
• answers all questions regarding topic correctly
• substantial analysis on topic and associated issue
• proper analysis of two sources / Demonstrates extensive thought and analysis
• answers all questions regarding topic clearly and correctly
• substantial analysis on topic and associated issue
• proper analysis of three (or more) sources
Application / • no use of statistics, tables, pictures
• no additional research evident / • limited use of statistics, tables, pictures
• limited additional research evident, used somewhat effectively / • use of statistics, tables, pictures to enhance product
• additional research evident, used effectively / • clear use of statistics, tables, pictures to enhance product
• extensive research evident and used effectively