PRESENTATION TASK In groups of two, you will debate a contemporary issue relating to the healthcare industry against an opposing group. In preparation for the debate, you will research the debate question from
PRESENTATION TASK
In groups of two, you will debate a contemporary issue relating to the healthcare
industry against an opposing group. In preparation for the debate, you will
research the debate question from both perspectives: the affirmative and
opposing teams—each student will research one argument from the affirmative
and opposing perspective. Arguments must be underpinned by sound evidence.
On the day, your debate perspective will be chosen by the tutor.
During the debate, you will be required to use the Policy debate structure that
has been introduced during the module. Each student will present their
arguments within a time frame and be prepared for cross-examination from the
opposing team. Each student must contribute 5 minutes overall, and the tutor will
chair the debate.
Debate Structure
Debate segment Team Time
Main argument Affirmative Team 4 minutes max
Main argument Opposing Team 4 minutes max
Cross examination Affirmative Team 2 minutes max
Cross examination Opposing Team 2 minutes max
Rebuttal Affirmative Team 2 minutes max
Rebuttal Opposing Team 2 minutes max
Final Statement Affirmative Team 2 minutes max
Final Statement Opposing Team 2 minutes max
Debate Topics
Groups will choose one of the following questions to debate:
1. The same principles of person-centered care should apply to those in the
criminal justice system.
2. People should be able to register with a GP without a fixed address. (chosen for the debate)
3. Cervical screening should take place every year.
Assessment Criteria
You will be assessed on your capacity to develop a well-supported argument for
or against the selected debate topic. In addition to presenting at least one wellresourced argument during the main argument, you will also be expected to
participate in the cross-examination or rebuttal.
Your debate will be assessed against the following learning outcomes.
LO1 – Analyse contemporary issues within the health and/or social care sector.
LO3 – Examine how contemporary issues impact local and/or national policy.
Please consult the rubric in table 1 to find out more about how your marks will be
calculated.
A Code of Conduct (CoC) violation can result in you losing marks for the assessed
debate.
The CoC states that students must:
• Behave in a respectful and courteous manner towards the chair and other
participants
• Avoid interrupting other participants; speak only when allocated to by
number / the chair
• Not engage in verbally / physically offensive behaviour (e.g. swearing,
shouting, prejudiced / personal comments)
• Avoid reading from a pre-prepared statement; the lecturer may ask you to
stop, reduce your marks, or terminate your attempt altogether
• Abide by any other rules present within ARU, London disciplinary
regulations not listed above
While you may bring notes along to assist you, you must not read a prepared
argument in place of presenting your own live. This assessment is designed to
test your ability to participate in structured debates and present a sound
researched argument, not whether you can read out loud.
You will be expected to support your argument using at least three reliable
sources of evidence. These can be from government or institutional reports,
websites, journals, or articles from credible news sources.
References must be submitted to your lecturer prior to the debate assessment.