Wednesday, March 22, 2017

1. Debate speech.

2. While not technically a debate in which students will have to react to what their opponents say, it is a debate in that they and their partners will have to take opposite sides of an issue.

3. Students will pair up.

4. If you are unable to find a partner, I will assign one for you.

5. Each pair will choose a topic to address.

6. One of the two will give a 1-2 minute statement taking one side of the topic.

7. The other student will give a 1-2 minute statement taking the opposite side of the topic.

8. The first student will give another 1-2 minute statement on his/her side.

9. The second student will give another 1-2 minute statement.

10. The pair will decide who goes first. 

11. Each student will receive a test grade for his or her own speech and the successful presentation of his/her side, backed up with facts.

12. THIS IS A COMPETITION.

13. The winner of the debate for each pair may opt out of the next daily assignment and will receive a 100 for that assignment. I will decide who wins the debate. This does not mean that both of you can slack off and one will automatically win. I reserve the right not to award either of the students the 100 if both do a lackluster job.

15. On the other hand, upon my judgment, especially effective pairs may both opt out of the next assignment and receive the 100. This will not be common.

16. Students must be able to present either side of whatever topic the pair chooses. If one of the pair is unwilling to present a particular side of a topic, choose something else.

17. Topics are due today by the end of the period, and ALL TOPICS MUST BE APPROVED BY ME.

18. This speech is due Monday, March 27. This is not a lot of time, so you do not have a moment to lose. Get started.

19. Each student will also receive a daily grade for his/her work in class on this. If you are wasting time, you will receive a wasting time kind of grade. There will be a sub here the next two days, and he/she will be instructed to leave a list of time-wasters.

20. In the event that there is an odd number of students in a class, one of those students may present both sides of an issue, with two 1-2 minute speeches. I will choose who will be the lone wolf.