D5 & D7 Rounds announced...

Post date: Feb 21, 2015 8:57:03 PM

There is no debate that we are possessed with enormous amounts of power and resources, more than any generation in the history of our species. But debate begins when we start to talk about how to make the most responsible use of our time and our treasure.One way to think about debate is as an efficient and orderly process to decide what the best way is to better the world. If you learn to persuade others to accept good ideas, you can create progress.

To the left, you'll see the title page to a book Joel Barlow wrote for the same reason. He used his extensive political experience to argue that Europe adopt a number of Lockean policies that are now embodied in our Constitution.

Once you get informed on your topic, it will be your turn to follow in Barlow's footsteps, to give advice to our "privileged orders."

In turn over a period of weeks, we too shall have a continuous "open and active exchange of ideas" in which every student will debate and judge a wide range of topics.

Logistics for in-class rounds…

1. You need to prepare cases for both sides since your position will be determined at random at the beginning of class. Please consult my text for advice on how to research and write them.

Both cases should include all the elements mentioned in my text including a hook, definitions, a plan (optional counter-plan for neg), 2-3 researched and cited contentions including at least nine analyzed pieces of evidence, and a closing. At the beginning of class, you will have five minutes to confer with your partner to agree on a case or combine the best of both. If your partner is absent, a stand-in will be assigned at random. You will also have to make up for the missed speech on your own time.

2. Cases should be written in TWO WAYS in one google.doc. Include...

a. the first as outlines of cases for both sides...

b. ONE 2-3 page essay for the side you did not debate. So if you're debated aff/gov, you write for neg/opp and vice versa.

Requirements: These papers MUST be shared as a google.doc with rsmithjbhs@gmail.com and titled correctly correctly (e.g. D5, Lightman, case & essay automated combat robots).

When's the essay due? By the end of the WEEKEND FOLLOWING the debate in which you spoke. Include the ESSAY, aff or neg, in the same google.doc with your case outlines. Title your docs

3. Scoring: You will receive two test grades from the exercise. The first is your speaker point total assigned on Mr. Smith's ballot using the CDA's traditional 30 point scale.

The second mark is your holistic score for your essay looking for all the usual stuff anyone would want in a persuasive essay - a complete intro with a hook, thesis, and plan, body paragraphs with transitions, claims, embedded relevant citations, impacts, easy-to-follow rhetoric and language, etc.

Still not clear on what I want? I strive to be transparent. My tastes and preferences are fully explained on the 20 Common Problems in Student Writing page along with lots of advice and models. Avoid all the problems and you get an 'A.'

4. Students not debating will judge. They are expected to flow rounds carefully and supply meaningful feedback on ballots. The ballots themselves are scored on their specificity and usefulness to the competitors. Fill out the ballot during the round and give it to Mr. Smith. When you get it back, pass it on to someone who debated to give them some feedback. Tallies of ballots will be announced, but Mr. Smith's ballot is final.

When you arrive in class on the day of a round, your first task is to grab a blank ballot and grab a flow sheet. The sides and roles will appear on the board, so copy the names down onto the ballot while the pairs compare cases before speaking.

Round Format:

This is a new four-person hybrid-style I created by combining elements of Yale Osterweis parliamentary, CDA extemporaneous & DANEIS prepared switch-sides styles. It's designed to pack a whole round into 48 minutes:

Prime Minister Constructive (PMC): 4 min. Lays out affirmative case.

Cross examination of PM: 3 min.

Leader of Opposition Constructive (LOC): 4 min. Lays out negative and begins clash with aff.

Cross examination of LO: 3 min.

Member of Government Constructive (MG): 7 min. Will clash with neg. and rebuild and extend aff.

Cross examination of M: 3 min.

Member of Opposition Constructive (MO): 7 min. Will clash with aff. and rebuild and extend neg.

Cross examination of MO: 3 min.

Leader of Opposition Rebuttal (LOR): 3 min. Picks two or three main issues or questions in the round and demonstrates why neg. should win

Prime Minister Rebuttal (PMR): 3 min. Responds to LOR point (and perhaps one additional issue or question) to show why aff. should win.

Constructives: In any constructive speech, new arguments may be introduced into the debate, either as independent points or responses.

Rebuttals: These are the last speeches given by each side, intended to crystallize the major elements of the debate and to why they should win the debate. This process is known as crystallization. The best strategy is to reduce the round to 2-3 key questions or issues to help the judges decide who won. New points cannot be raised in the rebuttals, but new examples and responses to illustrate previous arguments are encouraged.

You MUST bring outlines of BOTH your aff/gov AND your neg/opp cases to class ready to deliver OR YOU WILL FAIL. No, you can't just go print it out during the first five minutes of class, wasting everyone's time. All humans should learn basic preparedness by 10th grade.