The focus of today's class was on planning and then beginning to write an argument in favor of or against their topic and organizing the research notecards people have created.
To help in this process, I introduced everyone to an outline that works through the process of creating a thesis statement, topic sentences/claims, and organizing evidence within those points.
Everyone then had the rest of the period to work on this outline. I went around to check in with people individually and answer questions.
The order in which tasks should be completed are as follows:
1 - 6 research sources (for, against, and/or objective on the debate topic)
2 - 20 notecards of important information from the sources (summary, paraphrase, and/or quotation)
3 - Create a powerful thesis
4 - Create three or more powerful topic sentences/claims for your position paper
5 - Organize evidence within each claim
6 - Identify rhetorical devices and appeals that can be used in your discussion
7 - Use your outline to begin writing your position paper (800 words)
Today, everyone should be completing steps 3-5 and moving into steps 6-7 for the second side of their debate topic.
At the end of class, I handed out a note sheet for people to fill out this weekend. This note sheet translates points from the position paper into talking points for the debate. People should plan more than enough material to fill the 1 and 2 minute time allotments.
For the debate note sheet, it may be helpful to have the formal debate topic wording which are as follows:
Did the grand jury make the correct decision in the Ferguson (Darren Wilson) case?
Should abortion be legal?
Should capital punishment be legal?
Should the assault weapons ban be reinstituted?
Should the minimum wage be increased?
Handouts:
Planning Your Debate: Position Paper Outline
Debate Note Sheet
Homework:
Complete the debate note sheet in preparation for our debates on Monday.
Complete your debate outlines and position papers for your debate topic.
