1. Set Focus
Frame the inquiry with these essential questions: What makes an activity a sport? Who gets to decide if the criteria for being a sport are met?
2. Read and Discuss
Have students read the debate and then answer the following questions:
- What is the issue being debated? How does it relate to current events? (The issue is whether video gaming is a sport. The issue is timely because the worldwide audience for esports is growing. In the U.S., esports is likely to soon have a larger following than other pro sports, except football.)
- Evaluate why these two authors might be interested in and qualified to comment on this issue. (Mason Mullenioux is the co-founder and head of an organization that promotes video game tournaments to high school students. Alexandra Coates is an expert in physical education.)