Debate Instructions
DEBATES: The point of these debates is to get you to practice
your critical thinking skills, research skills, speaking skills, witing
skills, and you ability to civilly yet assertively discuss different perspectives
on controversial issues.There will be at least 10 debates based on the
Taking
Sides issues. Each debate will involve 2 teams of 4-5 students.
Thus, each student will participate in at least 2 debates. Although we
our debates will start with the articles presented in Taking Sides,
the
primary goal is for each team to gather additional quality sources in support
for their positions. Teams should prepare their presentations well in advance.
These must involve:
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Brief presentation of the arguments made by the author(s) of their particular
article in the book.
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Presentation of new arguments developed and/or new evidence uncovered
(during your library research) by your team.
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Teams may consult and elaborate on of any of the references cited by
their author. However, every team member should contribute additional
sources. No more than half the sources contributed by a team member may
be web resources.
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For the second half of the debate teams should anticipate their opponents
arguments and prepare questions for their opponents (to reveal any weaknesses
in their arguments/data) or present evidence to refute the opponent's claims.
Of course you should also listen carefully to your opponents' presentation,
jotting notes of what you wish to refute, since you will not know ahead
of time any additional arguments coming from their outside sources.
Teams should work together ahead of time to divide up research tasks, to
organize and coordinate (and avoid duplication in) their presentations,
to practice the timing of their presentations, and to brainstorm how what
pointed questions they might ask or evidence they might present to counter
their opponents' claims. In addition, each team should work together on
an outline of your team's presentation (double-spaced so I can write comments)
on debate day. It will contain the following:
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Your team members, the topic question, and the position your team is taking.
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An outline of the arguments made by the author of your article as well
as the new arguments and evidence provided by your team.
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The complete references for your outside sources.
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If submitted early, Dr. Walsh will make copies, or you may make copies
(there are 22 total).
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Keep in mind your classmates may use your outline when they study for our
exams.
Each debate will involve the following procedure:
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Each team will have 15-20 minutes to present its perspective. All team
members should present portion of this "affirmative argument." The team
should plan ahead and coordinate their presentations to presenta a logical
case in the allotted time and to avoid duplication.
-
If desired, teams may then take a 5 minute break will allow each team to
organize their questions and counter arguments to challenge their opponents.
The audience should also be preparing questions, challenges, untapped arguments,
etc. to raise during open discussion.
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Each team will have 5 minutes to present their counter arguments.
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The remaining time will entail questions and discussion involving the entire
class (remember those particpation points!)
Each audience member (non-participant in a particular debate) must read
the relevant articles in the Taking Sides book prior to the debate
in order to (a) submit their question card at the beginning of class, 2)
have the necessary background to appreciate your classmate's presentations
3) participate in a discussion at the end of each debate and (b) answer
test questions about those readings come exam time (e.g. what a 2 arguments
against....., what kind of evidence is used to support the claim of....)
Each student presenting in a debate can earn up to 30 points. Evaluation
of your team will be based on:
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the clarity, organization and cohesiveness of the presentation, including
your handout
-
the quantity and quality of supporting evidence clearly presented in 20
minutes
-
the quality of the arguments presented and challenges ( to your opponents)
raised.
Although each team member will only be presenting a portion of the debate,
each will write an original position paper incorporating all the arguments/evidence
from their original Taking Sides Yes or No article, and the arguments/evidence
from the particular outside sources which he/she uncovered. Position papers
are worth up 50 pts.
Questions to Keep In Mind during the Debates
While you
are watching others’ debates, you might want to answer the following questions:
1. In your own words, what is the issue being debated?
2. What is the "yes" position? What are three pieces of evidence to support
it?
Is the evidence credible (i.e., is it a fact or an opinion)?
3. What is the "no" position? What are three pieces of evidence to support
it?
Is the evidence credible (i.e., is it a fact or an opinion)?
4. What are the three main areas of disagreement between the two sides?
5. What is your position? Why?