Context-Based Debate

This worksheet engages students in Grades 7 and 8 in a structured analysis and debate centered on Franklin D. Roosevelt’s first inaugural address and the historical context of the Great Depression. Through background reading, rhetorical analysis, argument development, and evidence-based reasoning, students examine how understanding historical circumstances can deepen or change the meaning of a powerful speech.

Instructional Objectives

• Argumentation & Debate (Grades 7-8) – Develop and defend a position using clear claims and logical reasoning.
• Historical Context Analysis – Understand how the Great Depression shaped the urgency, tone, and purpose of Roosevelt’s address.
• Rhetorical Analysis – Examine how language, persuasion, and audience awareness function in a historical speech.
• Evidence-Based Support – Use details from both the historical background and the primary text to justify conclusions.

Educational Value

• Teacher-Created Resource – Designed by educators to support middle school ELA and Social Studies standards.
• Structured Debate Format – Guides students step by step in choosing a position and supporting it with evidence.
• Critical Thinking Focus – Encourages students to evaluate how context influences interpretation and meaning.
• Reflection on Modern Connections – Prompts students to consider how historical messages apply to present-day crises.
• Low-Prep Printable – Easy to use for classroom discussion, small-group debate, independent work, or homeschool instruction.

This context-based debate worksheet helps students strengthen persuasive writing, rhetorical analysis, and historical reasoning skills. By connecting Roosevelt’s words to the realities of the Great Depression, learners gain insight into how speeches respond to moments of crisis and why historical context matters for interpretation. It’s a discussion-rich, thought-provoking resource that supports meaningful learning in both classroom and homeschool settings.

This worksheet is part of our contextualization worksheets collection.