Watching The Great Debaters

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0427309/quotes?qt0431970

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0427309/quotes?qt0431973

Review the closing arguments (Rebuttal Speeches, not constructives per parli debate guidelines) from the film we watched in class by clicking the links above. Then choose one or the other for this blog response. Did you select Samantha's or James's speech? Tell us why you find the speech moving of effective. What type of appeals are used? What language choices make the short speeches persuasive? What aspects of delivery made the speeches persuasive when presented by the actors? Isn't it disturbing to reflect back on all of the closed-minded thinking that the team had to challenge just to get to the point that different races could sit on the same stage to debate? I hope the film instills a level of admiration for debate as a tool of change! Remember that our midterm will be based on aspectsof this film. Happy Presidents' Day Holiday everyone, keep up the great work in class--Smiles--Sandra

Post 4: Music and Food

AWESOME stock issues, you guys are funny! Did you catch the Grammy's? Who'd you like, what was weird, who annoyed you, who IS Dolly Parton???? Make a bold claim about the show, a performance or the world of music in general, your fave or least fave artist, ect--then support this claim with relevent evidence. What does any of this have to do with food: Nothing. Why is food in the title of the blog? I don't know. Maybe I am hungry....

Post #3: The Stock Issues (as in stalk-ing)

Hey gang--Sorry this was delayed but here we are! This week I want you to propose a resolution (remember? Like a thesis but for a debate...always worded in the affirmative, [for change] preceeded by THB: or Resolved:) Then suggest the four stock issues (contentions 1-4) for your reolution in brief. Here's the catch: Your resolution (or proposition) must be about yourself, your own life or your stuff! I'll go first:

RESOLUTION: THB: Los Rios should pay me and other part time teachers a million dollar fashion fund.
Contention 1: Let's examine my poor fashion budget ok? I am being hurt when I have to roll with my homies in last years flarey high-waisted pants instead of skinny jeans. Also everyone around me wearing fashionable skinny jeans is being harmed by my out-of-date fashion due to a small paycheck. This is unreasonable for my  fashion budget. Other harm includes that my flarey out of style pants might accidentally cut other people's ankles. They are so darn swishy!
Blame: Cont 2: It is my employer's fault, The College board --specifically the payroll department for failing to recognize my genius and immediately grant me a raise so I can get me some of those skinny jeans. Teachers should get paid more. All teachers. This is an inherent structual flaw in my paycheck, change must come swiftly!!!!
Plan/Cure: Cont 2 (Must be topical!) My plan is too host a write-in campaign, where (AGENTS) my charming students will (mandate) flood the corporate office with cards and letters singing my praises and raving about my value to the district, state and even the world. My admirers will generate flow charts, graphs and powerpoint slides showing how much other life-changing folks make for a living. (ie: doctors, football players and even world leaders) and how important fashion is to education. Specifically, credibility. Right? Funding will be easy to come by as we will raise the tax rate on bread, water and dental floss. To, uh, 19.8%. Immediately. Maybe we'll have a carwash. A 250.00 dollar car wash. Yes. That's it.
Cost/Benefit: Cont #4--As you can see people, my plan is solid and it directly solves the ill I suffer in out of style pants. Who am I --the Jessica Simpson of debate teachers??? Specifically, this plan will prevent me from unfairly doing without skinny jeans. My plan is solvent and the benefits far outweigh the tiny , almost 20% dramatic increase in tax on important stuff. Isn't it worth it to get me into the proper style of jeans before it is too late and the bootcut comes back? You know it is so vote for me, the govt side: THB: LOs Rios should pay part time teachers like me (especially) a one million dollar fashion fund.