Debate Responsibilities (spring 2014)

Team colors, Speakers, Questions, Format, and Individual Obligation

Choose Team Color

• Each team must choose a simple, solid-colored (exact) shirt to wear on the day of the debate. Great teams look like a team.

Speakers (know your role)

• Everyone must prepare to be a speaker. Speakers must collaborate in creating the speech pertaining to the speaker’s role (i.e. tone setter, pit bull, finisher).

• -Speaker 1 (Tone Setter)—responsible for stating strongest arguments in support of your team’s stance. Why is your stance on the topic true?

Speakers (know your role)

• Speaker 2 (The Pit Bull)—responsible for attacking or criticizing opponent’s stance.

• Why is your opponent’s belief false?

Speakers (know your role)• -Speaker 3 (The Finisher)—responsible for

responding to all criticisms and making concluding/summarizing remarks.

• Why are your opponent’s criticisms unfounded? Finally, why should the audience believe in your team’s stance?

Choose your speakers Speaker 1 (tone setter):

choose two or three people to collaborate in creating and presenting the speech.

Speaker 2 (pit bull): choose two or three people to collaborate in

creating and presenting the speech

Speaker 3 (finisher): choose two or three people to collaborate in

creating and presenting the speech

Debate Format (page 3 in your packet)

Marijuana legalization PowerPoint Exemplar

Questions and Answers

• Each team member is required to prepare three questions that support his/her team’s argument regardless of your opponent’s response.

• Each question must have an answer from a reliable source based on fact or a respected opinion.

• Question format: (1) Question (2) Answer (3) Source

Example Question Format• Topic/Stance—There should NOT be compensation for organ

donation?

• Question # 1—What is the definition of the word donation?

• Answer—A donation is a a gift or contribution, especially a sum of money given to a charity.

• Source— The Encarta North American Dictionary http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/dictionary/dictionaryhome.aspx

• Follow-up question—Would it be considered appropriate or right to GIVE to a CHARITY and then expect something in return?

The Speaker’s Pyramid (page 5)

Thesis—what you are trying to prove?

—your argument (point of

reference)

Data-specific proof that

supports your argument

Warrant-why does data make your thesis true?

The Speaker’s Pyramid

Each team should have at least 3

points of reference to argue

Grading Rubric—200 points(20 points for each section)—page 4

1. Appearance of Team (Everyone dressed in color-specific team apparel.) -3 for each unprepared member. (___ / 20 pts.)

2. Opening statements were well organized (3-4 min. and no less—aim for 5 minutes) & specific (relevant to argument). (___ / 20 pts.)

3. Team member questions were relevant (important & related) to the topic and well thought out. Questions are clear and to the point (3-4 minute segment). (___ / 20 pts.)

Grading Rubric—200 points(20 points for each section)

4. Statements from all speakers were not read from cards. All speakers had frequent eye contact with audience with sufficient time.

5. All team members participated equallyin the debate with sufficient time (every team member participated during the debate—asking and answering questions or speaking).

Grading Rubric—200 points(20 points for each section)

6. Team members projected voices with clarity. Individual speakers showed conviction (how will you say it…what will you do while saying it?) in support of arguments. Statements were very clear.

7. Criticisms were specific to arguments made in the opposing team's statements (criticisms were relevant to topic). (Pit bull & Finisher)

Grading Rubric—200 points(20 points for each section)

8. Team members participated equally in the rebuttal or criticisms (each person spoke for 3-4 minutes and no less).

9. Answers to opposing team’s questions were well thought out (Research was complete and thorough—team was prepared—answers were clear and to the point).

Grading Rubric—200 points(20 points for each section)

10. Respect was shown throughout the debate for the opposing team. (No name-calling, gestures, interruptions, etc.)

Individual Obligations (due May 27th or earlier) (Page 6 in your debate handout)

• Debate Information (100 points) due May 27th or earlier.

• Typed cover page with debate topic, stance (pro or con), your name, and team color (template available on the website).

• Typed table of contents

• Research gathered and organized (including note cards & notes during the debate).

• Questions with answers and reliable source/s (3 questions each debate team member).

• Notes from your debate—25 pts.

• Research of debate topic—25pts.

• Written speech/ or proof that you helped prepare speech on note cards or paper —25pts.

• Three questions with answers and sources—25pts.

Debate Individual Obligation Exemplars

•Katie •Walter•Eliza

Speech Preparation (Page 9 & 10)

• Tone Setters—the entire speech should be completed before the debate (4 to 5 minutes).

• Pit bulls—half of the speech should be completed before the debate (at least 2:30).

• Finishers—1/3 of the speech should be completed before the debate (at least 1:40).

Prepare for Verbal Warfare! I want to hear the 1st minute of each speaker’s speech, the three

points you all will argue, and at least two questions (answers and sources) from each team member

• With your team, go to your war rooms:

Team 1— Stay here (2 netbooks)

Team 2— H400 (my office)

Team 3— Stay here (2 netbooks)

Team 4— Hallway left (2 netbooks)