Research / Debate Assignment

Due Date: May 3rd for paper

Debates: May 4^th – May 10th

Background

This research and debate assignment will enhance your research, analysis, writing, presentation, and argumentation skills.

Assignment

You and your partner will research a controversial topic. Each person will write a 4-5 page research paper (separately). You and your partner will present your research to the class and then debate two students who have also researched the topic. For obvious reasons, one pair of students must take the affirmative side, and the other students will take the negative side. You will receive two major grade for the research paper and a separate double major grade for the debate/presentation.

Research Paper

Debate Paper Rubric

Write a 4-5 page persuasive research paper and document according to MLA documentation. Paper is due ___May 3rd __. The paper must cite a minimum of 5 sources.

Presentation and Debate

Debate Rubric for 2 people

Debate Paper for Pairs

1	On the day of the presentation / debate, the student who researched the Affirmative side will deliver a 1-2-minute opening statement.
2	Afterwards, the student who researched the Negative side will deliver a 1-2-minute opening statement.
3	The Affirmative side speaker will pose a question or statement for his opponent to answer (30 seconds). The opposing student will have one minute to respond to the question or statement. The Affirmative side speaker will then have 30 seconds for rebuttal.
4	The Affirmative side speaker will pose a second question or statement for his opponent to answer (30 seconds). The opposing student will have one minute to respond to the question or statement. The Affirmative side speaker will then have 30 seconds for rebuttal.
5	The Negative side speaker will pose a question or statement for his opponent to answer (30 seconds). The opposing student will have one minute to respond to the question or statement. The Negative side speaker will then have 30 seconds for rebuttal.
6	The Negative side speaker will pose a second question or statement for his opponent to answer (30 seconds). The opposing student will have one minute to respond to the question or statement. The Negative side speaker will then have 30 seconds for rebuttal.
7	When the partners conclude their presentations and rebuttal, class members will ask three questions to each side (alternating sides). The speaker will have 30 seconds to answer the question, and no rebuttal will be allowed from the opposing side.
8	The Affirmative side will deliver a one-minute closing statement.
9	The Negative side will deliver a one-minute closing statement.

Suggestions

This is a formal presentation and debate. Watch your language, grammar, clarity of argumentation, validity of support, professional tone, and demeanor. Pay close attention to the Grading Rubric

Possible Topics

As soon as you and your partner select a topic, sign-up for the topic on the closet in the back of the room. Only one pair of students will be allowed to research and debate each topic. Students are not allowed to select a topic which is similar to the topic they used for the Problem/Solution paper or Analytic Speech.

Abortion
Affirmative Action
Animal Rights
ANWR
Baseball and Steroids
Capital Punishment
Censorship of _________________
Character Education in Schools
Computers in Schools
Environmental Protection
Euthanasia
Genetic Engineering
Gun Control
Homelessness
Immigration
Income Tax Reform
Legalization of Drugs
Minimum Wage
Nuclear Proliferation
Patriot Act
Pledge of Allegiance in Schools
SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test)
School Uniforms
UFO’s (Unidentified Flying Objects)
United Nations
U.S. Involvement in Iraq
Welfare