Harry Potter debate

Citizenship
Business and its changing nature

Overview

The seventh and final Harry Potter book was published on Saturday 21 July 2007.

Kids and adults queued outside bookshops around the world to get Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The book is flying off the shelves and some people think it'll become the fastest-selling book of all time.

Students debate the nature of marketing in the world of children's books.

Learning aims

By the end of the lesson, students should understand that:

• Publishing books is a big business
• Marketing campaigns change our behaviour
• Meaning of the word hype

Icebreaker

Read out this story to the group

Potter fans finally get answers

• Are their any Potter fans in the group?
• What do they think of the way the books and films are marketed?
• How do their views differ from those in the group who don't like Potter?

For a fun start up activity pick something from our Harry Potter content. The links are on the right of this page. If you have internet access there is a magic-themed game called Spell Catcher and a selection of quizzes. The features section includes reports from kids in the queues which formed when the previous book was released in 2005.

Main activity

Class debate

Explain that the class is going to debate the issues surrounding the marketing of children's' books and films.

A debate is based around a suggestion or motion.

The motion is:

This house believes that it's OK to hype Harry

Divide the class into proposers (for the motion) and opposers (against the motion).

Students research and write down arguments which either support or oppose the motion.

A summary of arguments can be found on the worksheets and opinion pieces in the blue box.

Students can use either the proposers' and opposers' points or deduce them by reading Sophie's review and Rebecca's Press Pack.

Select seven students to be:

• Speaker. This person chairs the debate but cannot take part or vote.
• First proposer to speak
• First opposer to speak
• Opposer to sum up
• Proposer to sum up
• Two tellers to count the votes

Hold the debate in this order:

• The Speaker presents the motion.
• The first proposer presents the arguments for the motion.
• The first opposer presents the arguments against the motion.
• One of the proposers presents their arguments for the motion.

  HARRY POTTER HYPE ARGUMENTS Proposers' points: Click here for reasons why Potter hyping is OK Click here for Sophie's rave review of the Half-Blood Prince Opposers' points: Click here for reasons why hyping the books is bad Click here for Rebecca's Press Pack: What's all the fuss about? Click here for debate guide

• An opposer presents their arguments against the motion.
• This side to side motion continues until everyone has had their say.
• An opposer sums up their group's main argument.
• A proposer sums up their group's main argument.
• Name one side of the classroom the 'aye' wall and the opposite side the 'no' wall.
• The Speaker re-reads the motion.

Students vote twice

1. Students vote to support or oppose the motion, depending on which they thought were the most convincing and well-constructed arguments. This may not necessarily be what they believe personally. The Speaker can't vote.

They do so by going to the 'aye' or 'no' side of the classroom.

The two tellers count up the votes (bodies), on either side of the room.

The Speaker announces the result of the vote.

2. Students vote according to their beliefs. The Speaker is no longer in role and can therefore vote.

As before, the two tellers count up the votes (bodies), on either side of the room and the Speaker announces the result of the vote.

For our guide to holding a debate, click here

Extension activity

After the debate, each student writes a personal statement of their opinions.

They pick five arguments that match their viewpoint and include them in a report that starts "I think/don't think that it's OK too hype Harry Potter books because..."

or

Students devise a completely honest marketing strategy for a well known fizzy drink or fast food restaurant.

Plenary

Ask students:

• What would our society be like if all advertising was completely honest?
• Are younger people more likely to be misled by advertising than adults?

Teachers' background

Midnight queues are not new

In 1821, when the poet Byron had the latest parts of his popular Don Juan published, excited crowds banged on his publisher's door and windows.

Charles Dickens' novel, The Old Curiosity Shop, was published in parts. In 1841, crowds of fans in New York greeted the ship bringing in the latest part by shouting: "Is Little Nell dead?"

In 1854, The Bronze Soldier by GWM Reynolds sold 100,000 copies on the day it came out.

For hundreds more news-based stories, click on Teachers on the left-hand side.