Justice Debate Prep

This debate-preparation worksheet is designed for Grades 10-12 and helps students examine one of the novel’s central ethical questions: Was Raskolnikov’s punishment just or unjust? Students organize their thinking using a two-column evidence chart, collecting arguments and textual support for both sides of the debate. They then write a concise position paragraph that takes a clear stance and incorporates at least two pieces of textual evidence. Additional debate prompts guide students to analyze key factors such as exile, guilt, confession, and Sonia’s influence, strengthening their readiness for structured discussion.

Learning Goals

• Argument Writing (Upper Secondary ELA) – Develop and defend a clear, text-based position
• Textual Evidence Use – Select and integrate relevant quotes and events
• Theme Interpretation – Analyze justice, punishment, redemption, and moral responsibility
• Speaking & Listening Preparation – Prepare claims, evidence, and responses for debate

Instructional Benefits

• Teacher-Created Resource – Aligned with high school ELA standards for argumentation and discussion
• Balanced Evidence Gathering – Encourages fair consideration of multiple perspectives
• Debate-Ready Structure – Moves students from evidence collection to a coherent position paragraph
• Deep Ethical Analysis – Prompts consideration of legal vs. moral justice and psychological consequences
• Flexible Use – Ideal for debates, Socratic seminars, essay prep, or formative assessment
• Low Prep – Print-and-use worksheet with clear charts and guided prompts

This Justice Debate Prep worksheet helps students engage rigorously with Crime and Punishment by weighing competing interpretations of punishment and accountability. By organizing evidence, crafting a position, and addressing key counterpoints, learners strengthen argumentative reasoning, textual analysis, and discussion skills-preparing them for thoughtful, evidence-based debate on Dostoevsky’s complex vision of justice.

This worksheet is part of our Crime and Punishment Worksheets collection.