Creative Controversy

• Everyone should be aware that the goal of creative controversy is to reach a team consensus. In the beginning, pairs will argue forcefully for their side of a question. But teams eventually will have to agree on a common position that everyone can accept.
• First divide the group into teams of four; then divide the team into pairs. One pair takes one side of the question and one pair takes the other.
• The group or facilitator can have information ready to help teams prepare their arguments – recordings, writings, resource people that agree with either side of the question. The pairs use these resources and their current knowledge to prepare arguments for or against the issue.
• The pairs become familiar with the resources and discuss the question with their team of four – two on one side, two on the other side.
• Next, the teams switch pairs on the same side of the question meet in groups of four to prepare their arguments together.
• When the arguments are ready, the pairs go back to their original teams. The goal at this point is to argue forcefully for your side of the question.
• Next, the pairs exchange sides of the question and argue for the opposite point of view. Those who were for an issue in the beginning will now argue against it.
• Finally teams are asked to stop arguing forcefully and to reach a position that all team members can accept. If teams can’t completely agree on one position, they should make a note of all the points they agree on and also note the areas where they don’t agree.
• Teams can then write a group report on their final position.

Informal Debate

• Choose someone as a recorder – perhaps the facilitator. Have two lip charts available. The recorder writes the points made on either side of the question.
• Post the questions on lip chart paper, one on each side of the room.
• People sit on the side of the room where the statement is posted that they most closely agree with.
• It may be necessary to choose a time limit for the debate.
• People from each side take turns giving reasons with proof why they agree with that side of the question. The recorder writes their points on the lip chart.
• As the debate progresses, people move to the opposite side of the room if they change their minds. People may move back and forth as many times as they want as the debate progresses.
• When the time is up, someone reads the points on either side of the question. Note how many people are sitting on each side of the room. As a whole group, discuss how group members felt the debate went and what they learned from it.
• Each member of the literacy group can write a short essay or opinion piece about how they feel about the issue. Use the points made during the debate to stimulate the writing.
• The facilitator teaches mini-lessons on the writing process, essay writing, grammar and any other topics as they come up.