[LIT] debating

[Bill IVEY]

Hi!

Here's a link to an article in the "Baltimore Sun" entitled "Power of
debate not up for dispute."
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/howard/bal-ho.debate13jan13,0,7004514.story

My students wanted to do a debate this year, and chose as a topic
"Resolved: that the island of Dokdo should belong to Japan." This rather
unexpected and esoteric topic probably has to do with the fact that we
have a number of Koreans in the class, and this territorial dispute is a
hot topic and very emotional to Koreans. (The choice of "Japan" in the
resolution was made by flipping a coin, to be fair to both sides.) Like
the kids in the "Sun" article, my students worked in teams to research,
write, and deliver their speeches. They also pre-wrote "canned questions"
they could use in cross-examination if nothing came to mind as they
listened to what the other team was actually saying during the debate.
They were evaluated by a rubric having to do only with good speech
techniques (which they, of course, wrote). The debate was judged, however,
not only by speech techniques but also by strength, coherence and
organization of ideas, and understanding of the opposing team's ideas. The
kids loved it, and did a great job on debate day.

Do any of you teach debate? What has worked for you? Do any of your
schools compete with other schools in debate?

Take care,
Bill Ivey
Stoneleigh-Burnham School