Step-By-Step Directions

For those who need specific directions to follow, in order to prepare for your final debates, work these steps:

1. READ ALL THE POSTS ON THIS BLOGSITE SINCE NOVEMBER 23rd. There is a bunch of information related to your final debates including affirmative and negative ideas to research, how to refute or respond to arguments and ideas, events and people related to the topics

2. DEFINITIONS--Look up definitions for all vague or unfamiliar terms and have them available in your debate. This allows you to set the boundaries of the resolution

3. GRAMMATICAL CONTEXT--Look at each resolution and identify the parts of speech (noun, verb, etc.) and modifying phrases in the resolution. This ensures you do not misinterpret the resolution and solidifies the areas to argue.

4. BRAINSTORM IDEAS--Take time with a group of people and brainstorm arguments, ideas, and events that support and oppose the resolution. Be sure to write down all ideas. This helps you anticipate arguments and gives you ideas for follow-up.

5. RESEARCH & DEVELOP--Using your brainstorm lists, research and find evidence and take the time to edit and summarize the events or concepts. You are wanting data in 10-20 second segments

6. OUTLINE--Develop an outline and insert your evidence where it supports your arguments. Ideally you want an affirmative presentation approx. 3 min., 40 sec. long. Your negative should be approx. 3 min so you have time to refute or respond to the affirmatiive presentation.

7. ORGANIZE EVIDENCE--You will want to organize your materials so you can find them quickly. Remember you want to be able to find and retreive your materials within a few seconds because you only have 5 min. of prep before you debate.

8. ASK QUESTIONS AND ASK FOR HELP--There are people around you who could question you about your case or listen to your prepared arguments. Teachers in other subjects can also give you ideas.

9. TIME YOURSELF AS YOU SPEAK OUT LOUD--Not only is this a practice run, but it lets you know whether to cut or add evidence.