Persuasive Writing & Debate Class Summary 5/12/14

Homework - Debate Preparation

Student debate teams met this week in class to discuss research, facts, statistics, opinions and ideas in preparation for next weeks formal debate on gun ownership.  Teams self-assigned roles such that everyone will have an opportunity to participate in a different role than the previous debate (Constructive/Introduction, Cross Examination, Rebuttal, Audience Questions).

We broadened the debate topic to the following:

Civilian possession of handguns should be banned.

Unlike our previous debate where teams were pre-assigned to affirmative/negative positions, teams will not be told which position they must argue until we meet next Monday.  Therefore, students must be prepared to argue either side of the issue and develop two sets of introduction and rebuttal speeches, and cross examination questions (pro and con).  This adds further scope and challenge to the assignment, but should better prepare students to effectively argue and counter-argue each point.  It also adds a layer of suspense which is an exciting twist!

We will use the same format and scoring as our previous debate, although as discussed in class, I will more strictly enforce time limits during the cross examination questioning round.  Therefore, students should prepare a broad range of well thought out questions and I will be looking for responses to be succinct and clear. 

Teams will meet briefly at the start of class to organize any final points before we begin the debate.  Our two student audience members will meet with me briefly during this time to discuss the questions they have prepared.  Please email me your questions by Sunday so that I may look them over before class Monday morning. 

Work hard, communicate and coordinate with your team members, and come prepared for a lively debate!

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