Curated OER
Analyzing the Language of Presidential Debates
Scholars assess how word choice and linguistic patterns affect a presidential debate. They examine candidates' words for repetition and analyze what this repetition means. Then they locate countries that fit the expression free world. In...
C-SPAN
Debates
How do the presidential debates of 2016 compare to the debates from the 1980's? What about the 1960's? Evaluate a chosen candidate or issue from the 20th and 21st centuries with a lesson plan focused on political debates. Middle and high...
Curated OER
Presidential Debate Primer
Students examine the function of presidential debates. In this civics lesson, students view segments of presidential and vice presidential debates. Students analyze the answers given in the debates and identify the platforms of the...
Curated OER
Holding an In-class Post Presidential Debate
Students study debating procedures and elements of logic as they look at presidential and vice presidential debates. They
Classroom Law Project
What should I watch for in the debates?
Prepare your classes for election year debates with a series of activities that model how to watch televised debates and how to evaluate the moderators as well as the debaters.
Anti-Defamation League
Sexism and the Presidential Election
Young historians investigate how sexism impacted the 2020 United States presidential election. They examine media coverage of the six women candidates, engage in a four-corners debate reacting to statements about gender and the...
Curated OER
The Great Debate
Students watch tapes of televised presidential debates dating from 1960. They analyze debates and participate in mock debates.
Curated OER
Running (Check) Mate
Students consider qualities that the public seeks in a vice president, then analyze statements made by the vice presidential candidates and multimedia commentary on the debate by a Times reporter. For homework.
Curated OER
Suspect Sources at the Republican Debate
Students explore and analyze statements made during a televised presidential debate. In groups, they research and test the validity of the statements made by the presidential contenders. Students examine sources and draw conclusions on...
Curated OER
Active Voice
Students identify the qualities that contribute to effective verbal and non-verbal communication. They use those qualities as criteria by which to judge an in-class political debate on education.
Curated OER
Tally of the 1824 Electoral College Vote
Twelfth graders study the parts of the Constitution that address presidential election. They complete a variety of activities designed to spark debate about the flaws in the Electoral College system.
Curated OER
Advanced Critical Reading: The Great Debates
In this critical reading worksheet, students read a passage about The Great Debates between Kennedy and Nixon and answer questions based on the reading.
Curated OER
Sarah Palin
In this famous leaders worksheet, students read a passage about Sarah Palin and then complete a variety of in-class and homework activities to support comprehension, including partner interviews, spelling, cloze, synonym matches, and...
Other
Commission on Presidential Debates: The 2000 Presidential Debates
This site contains transcripts of the three presidential debates held between Al Gore and George W. Bush. There is also a transcript of the vice-presidential debate held between Joseph Lieberman and Dick Cheney.
Other
Commision on Presidential Debates: Debate History
The pages in this section summarize available information on major historic political debates. Click on the buttons at the bottom to learn about debates that occurred in each respective year. It provides videos and transcripts of many...
PBS
Pbs News Hour: The Final Presidential Debate Dole vs. Clinton
A full transcript of the historical debate including an audio version and links into other viewpoints and opinions about the debate.
Other
Pbs News Hour: Watch the Debates
Scroll back as far as 1960 to watch and interact with highlights from debates between presidential and vice presidential candidates over the years. Examine ways the candidates debate topics of the economy, gun control, and civil rights....
PBS
Pbs Online News Hour: Debating Our Destiny: Geraldine Ferraro
An interview with Ms. Ferraro, first female vice-presidential candidate, regarding the 1984 debate against republican candidate George Bush.
Poynter Institute
Poynter Online: Presidential Debates Bibliography
An archive of transcripts of past presidential debates. The archive mostly contains transcripts of debates since 1980. However, there are a select few from previous election years.
PBS
Pbs News Hour: 2000 Election Debates
This site from PBS News Hour contains great information on the presidential election debates of the 2000 election between Bush and Gore. It contains text articles of the debates in entirety.
Other
Real Debates????
Why are presidential/vice-presidential debates limited to just the two major parties? This site provides info on the organization running the debates and the rules that they follow.