Have students assume the roles of various stakeholders. In a role play debate, students examine different points of view or perspectives related to an issue. For example:

1. A debate about the question “Should students be required to wear uniforms to school?” might yield a variety of opinions expressed by two students — one representing each side of the issue, a parent, a principal, and a teacher.

2. A debate about the question “Should bar owners be responsible for patrons who drive drunk?” might include stakeholders such as a local citizen on each side of the issue, a bar owner, a police officer, the mother of a child killed by a drunk driver, and an emergency room doctor.

For more debate ideas see It’s Up to Debate lesson planner at http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson304.shtml