Christmas persuasive writing: real or artificial tree? A 6–8 debate

1. Hook (3 min): write the question on the board. Students stand on one side of the room for real, the other side for artificial, or in the middle if they're not sure yet.
2. Criteria (7 min): as a class, list what a smart decision should weigh: cost over several years, environmental impact, safety, convenience, tradition and smell. Write them as column headings.
3. Research (10 min): pairs find one fact for their side under two of the criteria. Point them to reliable sources, such as a university extension service, a government agency or a fire safety organization, and require the source name. Teach one question: "Who published this, and do they sell trees?" It teaches bias faster than a lecture.
4. Debate (12 min): sides alternate. Each speaker gets 30 seconds for one reason plus evidence: "A real tree is better because ___. According to ___, ___." The next speaker answers that point before making a new one.
5. Write (15 min): each student writes a persuasive paragraph with a claim, two reasons with evidence, a counterclaim and rebuttal ("Some people say ___, but ___") and a closing sentence. For a challenge, students argue the side they disagree with.
6. Share (3 min): two volunteers read aloud, and the class names the strongest piece of evidence.

Swap the topic: the same lesson works with "Should holiday decorations go up before Thanksgiving?", "Is a homemade gift better than a store-bought one?" or "Should our school have a cozy sweater day?"

Differentiation: for students who need support, provide two facts for each side and a paragraph frame. For advanced writers, require two sources that disagree and a sentence explaining which one is more trustworthy. For English learners, post claim, reason, evidence, counterclaim and rebuttal with an example sentence for each, and allow partner rehearsal before the debate. For students with writing disabilities, allow speech-to-text or a recorded argument.

Quick check: students underline their claim, circle their evidence and box their counterclaim. If a part is missing, they add it before leaving.

If you try it, tell us which side won your class vote and whether anyone switched after the debate.