Name

Period

Topic

For or against

Date
Partners name(s)

Argument Panel Discussion Assignment Sheet

You will participate in a panel discussion on a topic assigned to you. A panel discussion is a
discussion of a subject of public interest by a group of persons forming a panel before an
audience. You and a partner(s) will present a slide show presentation on your side of the
argument. Another pair of students assigned to the same topic will give a presentation on the
opposite side of the argument. After delivering the two sides of the topic, the class will ask
questions, and the panel members will answer the questions.

Basic components:

Group Work establish norms of how your group will work together and adhere to
them. At the end, you will assess yourself and your group members.
Research the topic and include facts, statistics and pertinent information to support
your position on the topic.
Prepare a slide show presentation to present the research to the class.
Practice and time your slideshow presentation with your partner.

Slideshow:

Includes only essential information (facts or important points)

No more than 3 bullets. No more than 6 words per bullet
Correct spelling, capitalization and punctuation are used
Must be legible (64 point font) dark font on light background or light on dark
Images, background, themes and animation support ideas so must be on topic.
Include Works Cited using MLA citations (www.easybib.com makes it easy).

Presentation:

No longer than 7 minutes to present slideshow and all main points.

Do not read the information on slides. Refer to slides but keep eye contact with the
audience.
Each group member presents using appropriate volume and gestures.
Groups will time the speech when practicing, so you know you can keep it to the time
limit 7 minutes.
Use flash cards if you want, but they are not required. Avoid reading flash cards and/or
slides throughout your presentation.
Partners should practice many times before presenting. You will be given class time to
practice but feel free to meet with your partner(s) outside of class.

Panel Discussion

Follow the Panel Discussion Rules and Guidelines provided.

Anticipate questions and responses to counter the other sides argument.
Attentive audience members will be assessed for their ability to record questions for
presenters, listen attentively and pose relevant questions.
Exit survey: each student will indicate his or her personal opinion of the topic before
the panel discussion. After the panel students will indicate if their position has changed
and if so, why.

GRADING: You are graded on your ability to work well with your partner(s), research your
topic, create a slideshow, present it front of an audience and respond to questions from the
audience while following the rules of a panel discussion (see attached rubric for details).
Peer & self evaluation score=

/20

Audience Participation total =

/20

Panel Discussion Rubric total=

/60

Total for the entire assignment =

/100

Argument Panel Discussion Rubric

Elements
Includes: all
(above) basic
components:
research;
slideshow;
presentation,
Q&A

8-10 points
Presentation content
exceeded the
information outlined in
the assignment. Strong
responses to questions
improved overall
presentation

5-7 points
Presentation included
all of the information
outlined in the
assignment. Responses
to questions supported
overall presentation.

Research and
Topic
development
Includes Works
Cited and MLA
citations

Topic research went

beyond expectations of
assignment; insightful
information was chosen
to support argument
from many reliable
correctly cited sources

Topic research meets

assignment
requirements to
support argument;
Works cited included
and most items are
correctly cited using
MLA

Presenters project
to the audience;
with maximum
eye contact; clear,
understandable
volume and pace;
well practiced and
kept within 7
minute time limit.

Presenter exceeded the

requirements speech
was memorized, eye
contact engaging,
exceptionally well
practiced: pace and
volume were
entertaining and kept
to the time limits
without reminders or
prompting

Presenter met
expectations,
occasionally read note
cards but eye contact
was practiced: pace
and volume were
appropriate; time limit
was respected but may
have needed
prompting

Partners/group are
focused during
class time; follows
norms and is on
task.

100% of the time team is

on task; each group
member has work and
knows what to do

85% of the time team is

on task and each group
member has work and
knows what to do

Effective use of
Multimedia clearly
adds to the message
Follows presentation

Use of multimedia
clearly communicated
idea and enhanced
overall argument and
tone/mood of message.
Followed presentation
guidelines and formats
without flaw.

Choice of multimedia
meets the expectation of
the assignment and
communicates overall
argument. No more
than 3 presentation
format errors.

Multimedia choice is
simplified so that a
superficial
understanding of the
argument is presented.
4 or more errors in
presentation format

With assistance
multimedia could
have communicated
the argument and
followed format
instructions.

Question and
answer sessions
Responds to
audience questions,
follow panel
discussion rules and
guidelines.

Exceeded expectations
by responding to all
questions with a
formal, demeanor, and
politely following all
rules and guidelines

Responded to all
questions while
following all rules and
guidelines of the panel
discussion

Responded to some
questions. Was not
able to follow rules
and guidelines of the
panel discussion.

With assistance
student could have
responded
questions and
followed rules and
guidelines.

Panel Discussion Rubric total=

/60

2-4 points
Presentation
provided some
required information.
Other components.
Responses to
questions may have
been unclear or
detracted from
argument
Topic research is
incorrect, irrelevant
or in conflict with
argument. May
include an incorrect
or incomplete Works
Cited page (incorrect
or incomplete MLA)
Presenters speech
showed a minimal
amount of practice:
most of the time was
too fast/slow, or
loud/soft. Presenter
had some eye contact
but read note cards
often. Presentation
was more than a
minute over or under
the time limit
70% of the time team
is on task and each
group member has
work and knows what
to do

0-1 point
With assistance
presentation could
have met most of
the requirements.
With time and
support responses
to questions could
have supported
argument
With assistance
topic research could
be correct and
relevant to
argument and
include a complete
Works cited page
with correct MLA
citations
With additional
support presenter
could have read
note cards, or had
more eye contact
and would have
been practiced and
would have met the
time requirements.

55% or less of the

time team is on task
and each group
member has work
and knows what to
do.