  DEBATE Debate class is back! What is debate class? Well, we debate! Yes, there will be days, especially at first, when we throw a topic around informally. However, organized debate is a series of speeches. So, yes, you must get up in front of class and give speeches. We will begin with a two-person team debate and work our way toward the Lincoln-Douglas style, which is a one-on-one debate. We are going to spend a couple of weeks studying persuasive techniques, taking notes,and polishing some of the skills necessary to arguing effectively. Most of the work for this class will take place at school, but you will probably need to spend some time at home finishing research and writing speeches. Some parts of debates consist of prepared speeches, and other parts are not prepared. You can help yourself this summer by paying attention to current events, especially national and international politics. I also would like you to know a little bit about the following items: Ponzi schemes, conspiracy theories (especially on JFK and MLK), monopolies, the basic differences between Republicans and Democrats, and who is running our local and state governments. Let's argue! I am leaving the following information from the last debate class so that you can see the kinds of activities we completed. Week of August 29-September 2 Monday--Patrick Henry's "Give me liberty or give me death" speech--find persuasive devices used Tuesday--Patrick Henry video; examine the speech Wednesday--Thomas Paine's "The Crisis, Number 1"--find persuasive devices Thursday--examine Paine's speech Friday--read Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech; compose a one-minute speech over any controversial subject Week of September 5-9 Monday--Labor Day--no school Tuesday--finish discussion of Henry's and Paines's speeches Wednesday--begin one-minute speeches Thursday--continue one-minute speeches Friday--discussion of various topics Week of September 12-16 Monday--continue one-minute speeches Tuesday--continue one-minute speeches Wednesday--continue one-minute speeches Thursday--finish one-minute speeches; hand outs Friday--discuss the art of cross-examination; begin preparation for first debate: Resolved: That Tennessee should adopt a state income tax Week of September 19-23 Monday--pair up and begin research for debate Tuesday--continue research Wednesday--continue research Thursday--prepare speeches Friday--continue speech preparation; review debate format and goals Week of September 26-30 Monday--debate #1 Tuesday--finish debate and critique Wednesday--debate # 2 Thursday--finish debate and critique Friday--debate # 3 Week of October 17-21 Monday--computer lab--research for next debate Tuesday--computer lab--research Wednesday--computer lab--research Thursday-- compose speeches Friday--work on speeches Week of October 24-28 Monday--prepare for debate Tuesday--prepare for debate Wednesday--Debate # 1--1st round Thursday--finish Debate # 1 Friday--discussion and impromptu debates over various subjects Week of October 31-November 4 Monday--Debate # 2 Tuesday--finish Debate # 2 Wednesday--Debate # 3 Thursday--finish Debate # 3 Friday--discussion and impromptu debates over various subjects Week of November 7-11 Monday--Debate # 4 Tuesday--finish Debate # 4 Wednesday--critique and discussion of all debates |