Hi Gang--As you work on finishing up Toulmin and developing your brief for the negative side of your proposition, think about this:
No piece of square dry paper can be folded more than 7 times in half! (http://www.strangefacts.com/facts1.html)
Find your own strange or unusual fact and post it here with a citation and then, in 5 or 6 lines, argue against the fact using debate skills such as clash, counterplan, dis-advantages and/or definition attacks--these are all the tactics which the negative team should employ during our next round of debates,and you should all use them in developing your briefs! Anticipate stock issues or just clash with your own stock issues you came up with in the case! I'll go first, let me hear some ZANY facts--Have a great Halloween everyone!!!!!! Sandra
By dry, do they mean totally moisture free or can it be damp? When something gets really small, what constitutes "half?" Exactly what is meant by "folding"--does creasing count? Besides, wouldn't one's time be better spent studying or shopping or even sleeping instead of folding all the time? Really people--what is a "piece?" anyways?????? A shred, a schard, a strip a chunk??????? This is discriminatory towards squares, implying that they can't fold as well as other shapes and I for one resent this unusual fact!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Story Telling as a Debate Tactic
Wow--We had fun at the debate tournament, I was really proud of everyone who came out! Everyone who cam out earned 50 points for a hard day's work! This week I want you to work on jazzing us your delivery "style" on the blog--it is easy with all the debate "steps" and procedures you have to follow to get so caught up in ill, blame, etc we forget that "style" is huge! Connecting with the audience, speaking smoothly, making eye contact, gesturing naturally, smiling and nodding, and showing passion through lively tone of voice and finally: using the best "word" choices possible! Which conclusion sounds better: 1. "We're probably right so vote for us and stop offshore drilling..."
2. OR : "After weighing the facts, I am sure you will join my team and insist that offshore drilling comes at a cost--that cost may be our children's fiutures!"
Using a storytelling style works for many good speakers, weaving a line such as the "Joe the plumber" from the last debate into a debate or speech can be effective, listener's wait through the speech to hear how the "story" turns out (you save the end of the story for the end of your rebuttal to end memorably. Think of inspirational stories that end on a note of hope--they can both start and end a good debate speech. Ok Sandra, stop droning on and on----what is the assignment for this blog??????? I want you to respond to the first line of my story with 4 or 5 lines to add on and together we shall "tell a tale" --so I will start the story and each person adds to it, one after the other, in order of who blogs next--we'll see where the story ends up. Then we'll read it in class.
Our Story begins in a small town outside of Scranton, where Danny Debater was raised by wolves. Having been abandonned in the wilderness at the tender age of 14 with only his birth certificate, a piece of cake, 2 pencils and Sandra's debate class syllabus, he was left to fend for himself. Somehow, he made it. The wolves had discovered lil' Danny one day on a sunny hill, writing out stock issues with his pencils. Armed only with his inate debate skills, Danny convinced the wolves not to eat him by stating and defending the proposition:_________________. Ok--your turn, whose next?????????? Smiles--S
2. OR : "After weighing the facts, I am sure you will join my team and insist that offshore drilling comes at a cost--that cost may be our children's fiutures!"
Using a storytelling style works for many good speakers, weaving a line such as the "Joe the plumber" from the last debate into a debate or speech can be effective, listener's wait through the speech to hear how the "story" turns out (you save the end of the story for the end of your rebuttal to end memorably. Think of inspirational stories that end on a note of hope--they can both start and end a good debate speech. Ok Sandra, stop droning on and on----what is the assignment for this blog??????? I want you to respond to the first line of my story with 4 or 5 lines to add on and together we shall "tell a tale" --so I will start the story and each person adds to it, one after the other, in order of who blogs next--we'll see where the story ends up. Then we'll read it in class.
Our Story begins in a small town outside of Scranton, where Danny Debater was raised by wolves. Having been abandonned in the wilderness at the tender age of 14 with only his birth certificate, a piece of cake, 2 pencils and Sandra's debate class syllabus, he was left to fend for himself. Somehow, he made it. The wolves had discovered lil' Danny one day on a sunny hill, writing out stock issues with his pencils. Armed only with his inate debate skills, Danny convinced the wolves not to eat him by stating and defending the proposition:_________________. Ok--your turn, whose next?????????? Smiles--S
Monday, October 13, 2008
Debate Torney Info For Friday 10/17 @ SCC
This should answer all your concerns about the tournament, please post any questions or ideas you have about Friday on the comments for this blog. SCC is off of the 12th St exit from Hwy 99 or the Sutterville exit from Hwy 5. Mapquest fro exact dirtections and try to carpool! --S
OVERVIEW:
You and your students are cordially invited to the Sacramento City College Intramural tournament on Friday, October 17, 2008 from 10:00 to 4:00 pm. Signs on campus will tell you where to go, we will be right next to the cafeteria in the Student Center. We are looking forward to an exciting day of debates and speeches. Students should come prepared to present in a professional, fun, friendly and competitive manner. This is a wonderful opportunity for your students to continue to refine their presentational skills outside of the classroom with other begining students.
We will meet in the student center on the SCC main campus and checking in starting at 9:45am. Debaters need to be present for check in at 10:00am. Late participants will be dropped once the first round of their event starts.
Eligibility:
Students who have NOT competed in high school, or collegiate speech and debate competition are eligible.
Students who competed in previous intramural tournaments are eligible to participate as judges, or they may compete in a different pattern. Students may only enter in one event.
Observers:
Students may come and observe events and rounds for extra credit participation. Lunch will be available for those students for a $5.00 fee. They must register to receive a lunch voucher.
Registration:
The advanced registration fee is $7.00 cash per student. The cost covers lunch, awards, and tab room supplies. The fee will be collected from students at check in. Exact change will be appreciated.
For advanced registration email me a list of competing students by Tuesday, October 14th at 1:00pm. We will have to hold strictly to the entry deadline because of high demand, limited number of critics, and competition rooms.
Late Registration
Students who are not preregistered by their instructor by the deadline may or may not be allowed to participate based on available slots on Thursday morning. Late registration will be from 9:45 am to 10:00 am. There will be an additional fee for students who are not preregistered. The cost for late registration will be $10.00.
Judging Fees
Each instructor must provide at least one judge for every 10 students or fraction there of who are competing. Faculty members will be assessed a $50.00 judging fee should they not meet this expectation. Judging fees must be paid by 10:00 am on the day of the tournament or your students will not be allowed to participate in that days event.
Final Rounds
The goal is for all final rounds to be completed by 4:00. We encourage all competitors to stay and be supportive audience members for the final rounds of speeches. Awards will be presented in the final rounds.
Critiques
Critiques will be delivered to faculty members at the end of the tournament or forwarded via campus mail on the following Monday. We encourage everyone to debrief the tournament in their classes.
1. Tentative Schedule of Events:
10:00am Registration for pattern B (Parliamentary debate)
10:00am Judges Training for Parliamentary Debate
10:15am Orientation for Parliamentary debaters and critics
10:45 am Judges Training for Platform Speeches
10:45am Round 1: Pattern B Parliamentary debate
11:00am Registration for pattern A (Impromptu, Informative, Oral Reading)
11:15am Orientation for individual event competitors
11:45am Round 1: Pattern A (Impromptu, Informative, Oral Reading)
12:00-1:30 Lunch
12:45 pm Round 2: Pattern B (Parliamentary debate)
1:45 pm Round 2: Pattern A (Impromptu, Informative, Oral Reading)
2:15 pm Finals: Pattern B (Parliamentary debate)
3:00 pm Finals: Pattern A (Impromptu, Informative, Oral Reading)4:00 pm Awards
2. PATTERN B
*Parliamentary Debate:
(All teams will be hybrids, meaning student will be paired with students from other classes to form partnerships)
A. Parliamentary Debate is a formal contest of wit and rhetorical skill which theoretically occurs in a House of Parliament. Participants are the Government and Opposition teams and the moderator is Madam or Mister Speaker of the House.
B. A resolution is a sentence or phrase which provides the subject of debate. The government team has 15 minutes to prepare a case that centers on this topic.
C. Two types of speeches exist in a round: constructive and rebuttals. The order of speakers is as follows:
Prime Minister 6 min.
Leader of the Opposition 7 min.
Member of the Government 7 min.
Member of the Opposition 7 min.
Leader of the Opposition 4 min. (rebuttal)
Prime Minister 5 min. (rebuttal)
D. The purpose of the constructive speeches is to introduce the case and arguments for and against the resolution. The rebuttal will summarize the teams’ major points and responses, and no new arguments will be permitted.
Government: the responsibility of the government is to define and defend the resolution in a manner which makes it debatable.
Opposition: the responsibility of the Opposition is to clash with the Government’s case. Clash occurs either by establishing an opposing philosophy or by a point by point analysis of the Government’s arguments.
G. Three kinds of points may rise during a debate:
1. Points of Order are breaches in parliamentary proceedings. They may count against debaters who breached procedures.
2. Points of Personal Privilege are personal assaults against a participant in the debate, offensive and tasteless assertions, or charges that a speaker is grossly misconstruing the point of their opponent. The judge will rule on whether the speaker’s comments were acceptable.
3. Points of Information are common in parliamentary debate and provide a truly interactive debate. Points of Information can only be offered after the first minute and before the last minute of a constructive speech. At his or her discretion, the member holding the floor may yield to an opponent for a Point of Information. Points of Information will not exceed 30 seconds.
To make a Point of Information, a person rises and waits to be recognized by the speaker holding the floor (the one delivering the constructive speech). If the debater holding the floor does not wish to take the point of information, he/she responds, “No thank you Sir/Madam,” at which point the opponent sits down. If the debater holding the floor wishes to take the point, he/she should recognize his/her opponent by saying “Yes, Madam/Sir.”
A choice of three topics will be offered per round. The opposition will strike first, the government second, leaving the topic to be debated.
ALL TOPICS WILL BE POLICY AND VALUE QUESTIONS, NO FACT OR METAPHOR RESOLUTIONS WILL BE OFFERED.
* Adapted from NCFA event descriptions and Intercollegiate Forensics: A Participants Handbook
3. Tournament Etiquette
DO:
· Present yourself professionally
· Be polite and courteous at all times
· Frequently check the postings and tournament schedule (there may be changes)
· Get to your round on time
· Be active listeners while others are speaking
· Plan to stay through the entire round, arriving on time and staying until the judge dismisses you
· Make sure, when you leave, that the room is in the same condition you found it (put desks back in order, erase the chalkboard, throw away trash, etc.)
DON'T:
· Don't ask the judges to reveal their decisions
· Don't walk in while someone is speaking
· Don't talk loudly outside a competition room
· Don't go to the Tab Room to find out how you did (all will be announced at awards)
OVERVIEW:
You and your students are cordially invited to the Sacramento City College Intramural tournament on Friday, October 17, 2008 from 10:00 to 4:00 pm. Signs on campus will tell you where to go, we will be right next to the cafeteria in the Student Center. We are looking forward to an exciting day of debates and speeches. Students should come prepared to present in a professional, fun, friendly and competitive manner. This is a wonderful opportunity for your students to continue to refine their presentational skills outside of the classroom with other begining students.
We will meet in the student center on the SCC main campus and checking in starting at 9:45am. Debaters need to be present for check in at 10:00am. Late participants will be dropped once the first round of their event starts.
Eligibility:
Students who have NOT competed in high school, or collegiate speech and debate competition are eligible.
Students who competed in previous intramural tournaments are eligible to participate as judges, or they may compete in a different pattern. Students may only enter in one event.
Observers:
Students may come and observe events and rounds for extra credit participation. Lunch will be available for those students for a $5.00 fee. They must register to receive a lunch voucher.
Registration:
The advanced registration fee is $7.00 cash per student. The cost covers lunch, awards, and tab room supplies. The fee will be collected from students at check in. Exact change will be appreciated.
For advanced registration email me a list of competing students by Tuesday, October 14th at 1:00pm. We will have to hold strictly to the entry deadline because of high demand, limited number of critics, and competition rooms.
Late Registration
Students who are not preregistered by their instructor by the deadline may or may not be allowed to participate based on available slots on Thursday morning. Late registration will be from 9:45 am to 10:00 am. There will be an additional fee for students who are not preregistered. The cost for late registration will be $10.00.
Judging Fees
Each instructor must provide at least one judge for every 10 students or fraction there of who are competing. Faculty members will be assessed a $50.00 judging fee should they not meet this expectation. Judging fees must be paid by 10:00 am on the day of the tournament or your students will not be allowed to participate in that days event.
Final Rounds
The goal is for all final rounds to be completed by 4:00. We encourage all competitors to stay and be supportive audience members for the final rounds of speeches. Awards will be presented in the final rounds.
Critiques
Critiques will be delivered to faculty members at the end of the tournament or forwarded via campus mail on the following Monday. We encourage everyone to debrief the tournament in their classes.
1. Tentative Schedule of Events:
10:00am Registration for pattern B (Parliamentary debate)
10:00am Judges Training for Parliamentary Debate
10:15am Orientation for Parliamentary debaters and critics
10:45 am Judges Training for Platform Speeches
10:45am Round 1: Pattern B Parliamentary debate
11:00am Registration for pattern A (Impromptu, Informative, Oral Reading)
11:15am Orientation for individual event competitors
11:45am Round 1: Pattern A (Impromptu, Informative, Oral Reading)
12:00-1:30 Lunch
12:45 pm Round 2: Pattern B (Parliamentary debate)
1:45 pm Round 2: Pattern A (Impromptu, Informative, Oral Reading)
2:15 pm Finals: Pattern B (Parliamentary debate)
3:00 pm Finals: Pattern A (Impromptu, Informative, Oral Reading)4:00 pm Awards
2. PATTERN B
*Parliamentary Debate:
(All teams will be hybrids, meaning student will be paired with students from other classes to form partnerships)
A. Parliamentary Debate is a formal contest of wit and rhetorical skill which theoretically occurs in a House of Parliament. Participants are the Government and Opposition teams and the moderator is Madam or Mister Speaker of the House.
B. A resolution is a sentence or phrase which provides the subject of debate. The government team has 15 minutes to prepare a case that centers on this topic.
C. Two types of speeches exist in a round: constructive and rebuttals. The order of speakers is as follows:
Prime Minister 6 min.
Leader of the Opposition 7 min.
Member of the Government 7 min.
Member of the Opposition 7 min.
Leader of the Opposition 4 min. (rebuttal)
Prime Minister 5 min. (rebuttal)
D. The purpose of the constructive speeches is to introduce the case and arguments for and against the resolution. The rebuttal will summarize the teams’ major points and responses, and no new arguments will be permitted.
Government: the responsibility of the government is to define and defend the resolution in a manner which makes it debatable.
Opposition: the responsibility of the Opposition is to clash with the Government’s case. Clash occurs either by establishing an opposing philosophy or by a point by point analysis of the Government’s arguments.
G. Three kinds of points may rise during a debate:
1. Points of Order are breaches in parliamentary proceedings. They may count against debaters who breached procedures.
2. Points of Personal Privilege are personal assaults against a participant in the debate, offensive and tasteless assertions, or charges that a speaker is grossly misconstruing the point of their opponent. The judge will rule on whether the speaker’s comments were acceptable.
3. Points of Information are common in parliamentary debate and provide a truly interactive debate. Points of Information can only be offered after the first minute and before the last minute of a constructive speech. At his or her discretion, the member holding the floor may yield to an opponent for a Point of Information. Points of Information will not exceed 30 seconds.
To make a Point of Information, a person rises and waits to be recognized by the speaker holding the floor (the one delivering the constructive speech). If the debater holding the floor does not wish to take the point of information, he/she responds, “No thank you Sir/Madam,” at which point the opponent sits down. If the debater holding the floor wishes to take the point, he/she should recognize his/her opponent by saying “Yes, Madam/Sir.”
A choice of three topics will be offered per round. The opposition will strike first, the government second, leaving the topic to be debated.
ALL TOPICS WILL BE POLICY AND VALUE QUESTIONS, NO FACT OR METAPHOR RESOLUTIONS WILL BE OFFERED.
* Adapted from NCFA event descriptions and Intercollegiate Forensics: A Participants Handbook
3. Tournament Etiquette
DO:
· Present yourself professionally
· Be polite and courteous at all times
· Frequently check the postings and tournament schedule (there may be changes)
· Get to your round on time
· Be active listeners while others are speaking
· Plan to stay through the entire round, arriving on time and staying until the judge dismisses you
· Make sure, when you leave, that the room is in the same condition you found it (put desks back in order, erase the chalkboard, throw away trash, etc.)
DON'T:
· Don't ask the judges to reveal their decisions
· Don't walk in while someone is speaking
· Don't talk loudly outside a competition room
· Don't go to the Tab Room to find out how you did (all will be announced at awards)
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Evidence of what??????
As you work on your lovely and joyful evidence assignment, you'll see that when it comes to Toulmin, most articles feature a whole lot of evidence and maybe a few or just a couple claims and frequently no warrant (remember they are usually implied). So lots of evidence,but what does it prove? That is up to you as the debater to stack your evidence (or grounds). To practice, give us a piece of evidence about a person close to you. Think about it for a minute and then tell us what this evidence actually proves about either you as their friend or them? For example: When I was visitting family in Manteca last week my brother didn't answer his phone or invite us over even though he loves to see Harper. This evidence proves that his house was a mess!
Your turn!
PS: This is how we draw conclusions! You are so smart!!!
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Toulmin: Tool or Tool?
Friends and fellow debaters, we have now met and quickly become confused by our friend Toulmin and the primary and secondary triads. The real question here is: Is this a helpful tool, or was this guy just a "tool?" Flawed reasoning often reveals itself when a debater can identify the warrant in an argument which states ONLY grounds and claims (the warrant is underlying logic that allows the leap from the grounds to the claim).
For this blog
1. Carefully read chapter 5, which will help you get an A on Monday's exam too!
2. Then, after an uplifting minute or two of fond reflection back on your teacher's earth-shattering Toulmin lecture last Wednesday, Choose a song or verse of your choice and tell us what it is so we know what you're talking about.
3. Next, quote a few lines of lyrics from the song or rhyme you chose (even a kids selection or Halmark card will do).
4. Identify the grounds and the claim.
5. Reveal what the warrant probably is (usually warrants are not stated explicitly).
All valid claims rely on warrants and are backed by evidence, so no saying "my example doesn't have one!" Remember: Of the primary triad, the warrant is both most elusive and most important for a debater to be able recognize. It should be more abstract sounding than the specific nature of grounds and claim...it should sound almost too obvious to say aloud.
HINT: For warrants, think of the moral of a story, cliche sayings and things your grandparents might say to you, ie: Money doesn't grow on trees, Time heals a broken heart, money is the root of evil, cheaters never prosper...get the idea?
I'll go first: Selection: Theme Song from Barney cartoon on PBS
Grounds: I love you, you love me
Claim: We're a happy family.
Warrant: Feelings connect people.
Ok--Your turn! Smiles--S PS: TOULMIN FOR PRESIDENT!!!!!!!!
For this blog
1. Carefully read chapter 5, which will help you get an A on Monday's exam too!
2. Then, after an uplifting minute or two of fond reflection back on your teacher's earth-shattering Toulmin lecture last Wednesday, Choose a song or verse of your choice and tell us what it is so we know what you're talking about.
3. Next, quote a few lines of lyrics from the song or rhyme you chose (even a kids selection or Halmark card will do).
4. Identify the grounds and the claim.
5. Reveal what the warrant probably is (usually warrants are not stated explicitly).
All valid claims rely on warrants and are backed by evidence, so no saying "my example doesn't have one!" Remember: Of the primary triad, the warrant is both most elusive and most important for a debater to be able recognize. It should be more abstract sounding than the specific nature of grounds and claim...it should sound almost too obvious to say aloud.
HINT: For warrants, think of the moral of a story, cliche sayings and things your grandparents might say to you, ie: Money doesn't grow on trees, Time heals a broken heart, money is the root of evil, cheaters never prosper...get the idea?
I'll go first: Selection: Theme Song from Barney cartoon on PBS
Grounds: I love you, you love me
Claim: We're a happy family.
Warrant: Feelings connect people.
Ok--Your turn! Smiles--S PS: TOULMIN FOR PRESIDENT!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
REGISTER 2 VOTE BY OCOTBER 20TH!!!!
WATCH THE VP ELECTION THURSDAY EVENING OCTOBER 2ND AND FOR UP TO 5 POINTS OF EXTRA CREDIT, WRITE A HALF PAGE ANALYSIS ON WHO WON AND WHY USING CLASS/TEXTBOOK VOCABULARY--TELL ME ABOUT SUCCESSFUL DELIVERY TACTICS AND SMOOTH OR FAILED NON-VERBAL STRATEGIES. EXTRA CREDIT FOR IDENTIFYING TOULMIN TRIADS ON EITHER SIDE, DOUBLE IF YOU TURN IT INTO A RHYME OR A RAP. ROCK THE VOTE @ http://www.rockthevote.org/home.html
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