Debate Prep — Build Your Case
The teen selects a controversial topic and builds a formal argument complete with evidence, rebuttals, and concessions. Through structured preparation, they practice argumentation logic, evidence evaluation, and the critical skill of steel-manning — making the strongest possible version of the opposing argument before dismantling it. The parent serves as debate partner and devil's advocate.
Opens a guided voice session in TogetherTime.
What you'll need
No materials required beyond optional paper or notes app. The teen picks the topic. If they struggle to choose, suggest: social media minimum age, homework value, lowering the voting age, animal testing, school start times. The key is it must be genuinely debatable — not a settled question. Parent should be prepared to argue the opposing side.
How it works
- 1~40s
your child, state your position clearly in one sentence. Then give me three reasons to support it — and for each reason, I want evidence. Not just 'I think' or 'everyone knows.' What's the data? What's the example? What's the logical argument? Take a couple minutes to think it through. you, just listen for now — write down what you hear. I want to know: does your child distinguish between opinion and evidence? Are the reasons structured or just a stream of thoughts? Is there a logical flow?
Watch for: Quality of argument structure — clear position, supporting reasons, and evidence
- 2~40s
Now the hard part. your child, switch sides. I want you to make the BEST possible argument AGAINST your own position. Not a straw man — not a weak, easy-to-knock-down version. I want the steel man: the strongest, most reasonable version of the opposing view. What would a smart, well-informed person who disagrees with you say? Why would they be right to think that way? This is the hardest intellectual skill there is — genuinely understanding why someone might reasonably disagree with you. you, how well does your child represent the other side?
Watch for: Ability to construct the strongest version of the opposing argument — genuine perspective-taking in intellectual disagreement
- 3~40s
Final round. your child, you've built your case and you've built the opposition's case. Now do what great debaters do: go back to your original position and address the strongest opposing arguments directly. For each one, either rebut it — explain why it's wrong or incomplete — or concede it. Yes, concede. Admitting 'they're right about this part, but my position still holds because...' is the most powerful move in argumentation. It shows you're honest and it makes everything else you say more credible. you, tell me: does your child engage with the hard counterarguments, or dodge them?
Watch for: Ability to rebut opposing arguments and make strategic concessions