From C-Span Classroom

This lesson allows students to compare and contrast the current presidential debates with past presidential debates. Students will watch and evaluate Presidential debates from previous Election years and determine the candidates’ positions, message, and effectiveness of that message. Students will then evaluate the effect of the debate on the overall election and election result.

2016 (Clinton-Trump) 1st Debate:
http://www.c-spanclassroom.org/Video/2721/First+Presidential+Debate.aspx

2016 (Clinton-Trump) 2nd Debate:
http://www.c-spanclassroom.org/Video/2751/Second+Presidential+Debate.aspx

2016 (Clinton-Trump) 3rd Debate:
http://www.c-spanclassroom.org/Video/2792/Third+Presidential+Debate.aspx

Links for presidential and vice-presidential debates dating back to 1960, along with debate guide and discussion questions, are provided here:
http://www.c-spanclassroom.org/Lesson/126/Lesson+Idea+Debates.aspx

Objectives

Students will identify important issues from the Presidential Debates.
Students will evaluate the effectiveness of the speakers’ message
Students will evaluate the debate to determine its effect on the Presidential Election

Source

C-SPAN Classroom's mission is to enhance the teaching of social studies through C-SPAN’s primary source programming and websites.