Cooperative Debate Assignment

Each person will have a assigned dyad. Each dyad will bring two possible resolutions to class. All of the student will then be placed into a group of four (with their dyad). The topics can be local, national or a world policy issue. Each of you will be responsible for presenting the strongest arguments, reasons, and evidence for your position to the class in a semi-formal debate setting. 

Together the dyads will decide:

Ø      Four possible resolutions (two from each dyad)

Ø      After you have been given your resolution your group will decide which central issues must be addressed

Ø      As a group you will briefly present and define key terms, important commonplaces on the day of your assigned debate.

Ø      Each person will turn in a brief with 2 affirmative issues and 2 negative issues, the brief is due at the beginning of class on the first day of the cooperative debates – they will not be accepted late. There should be a minimum of five sources utilized for the briefs. The referenced section will be in APA format. We will go over format in class.

Ø      On the day of your assigned cooperative debate the instructor will tell you which side each dyad will be debating. Until that day neither dyad will know which side (affirmative or negative) they will have – so you must prepare for both contingencies.

Ø      As a dyad you will decide who will debate first. We will follow the modified parliamentary format listed below.

Ø      After the debate class members will be invited to participate in a question and answer session.

The Debate will consist of:

              I.      Statement of the Resolution

           II.      Brief presentation by the group of key terms, important commonplaces and present laws if applicable.

         III.      The announcement of which side each dyad must represent.

        IV.      Cooperative Debate

a)      First Affirmative       (3 minutes)

b)     Negative Response  (2 minutes)

c)      First Negative               (3 minutes)

d)     Affirmative Response (2 minutes)

e)      Second Affirmative (3 minutes)

f)       Negative Response  (2 minutes)

g)     Second Negative          (3 minutes)

h)     Affirmative Response (2 minutes)

i)       Affirmative Final Rebuttal (dyads choice)           (1 minute)

j)        Negative Final Rebuttal (dyads choice)               (1 minute)

          V.      Audience Questions and Answers (3 - 5 minutes)

You may use notes, but you should not rely on canned speeches for your discussion of the issues.  Identify the main points you want to make with regards to each issue and be ready to support with research!!!

When responding to the arguments presented, be sure to provide “direct clash”—a direct response to the arguments and evidence presented.

The audience will be voting which dyad they feel represented the stronger arguments. Please note that time constraints are in place – anyone giving too short of a response/argument will be marked down on their grade.