Debate/Argumentation Papers
NOTE: This was written as a guideline for a stand-alone paper, but the principals apply for your L/D debate papers. Follow these guidelines for your “constructive” (affirmative and negative) and your “rebuttals” (affirmative and negative). Also, consider all of the things we have said about good argumentation skills.
For the debate you will write two papers to read. You are going to support AND refute a RESOLUTION assigned to you at the beginning of the debate. Remember, you are not required to persuade, only to argue – that is, you need to convince people that something is so, not to do anything in particular. For example, there is a difference between the argument “abortion is wrong” and the persuasive attempt to convince people that “we should ban abortion in the United States.” For this essay, I only want you to argue.
Papers for Your Job in the Group:
Person 1: first affirmative/negative constructive: (4 minutes) 1 affirmative; 1 negative argument paper
Person 2: second affirmative/negative constructive: (4 minutes) 1 affirmative; 1 negative argument paper
Person 3: cross examiner/rebuttalist: (3 minutes) 1 affirmative; 1 negative closing statement
You will be ready with both papers on the day of the debate; I will flip a coin; you will argue either negative or affirmative, depending on the toss.
Person 1 and two should coordinate to cover different parts of the argument.
Person 3 should sum up the arguments.
Parts of the Essay:
1) Introduce your issue – what is the debate?
2) Present your thesis.
3) Defend your thesis (the “meat” of the essay) – reasons why you are right.
4) Anticipate and defend against counterarguments.
5) Thesis + (you could add a persuasive element here)
Particulars:
Length: 3-6 pages (4 or 3 minutes' reading time)
MLA Format
Due: ________________
Hints:
Control and shape emotion.
Avoid logical fallacies.
Keep your facts accurate.
Work hard on anticipating counterarguments – leave no gaps in your castle’s wall.
Avoid use of “I think” and “I feel.”
NOTE: This was written as a guideline for a stand-alone paper, but the principals apply for your L/D debate papers. Follow these guidelines for your “constructive” (affirmative and negative) and your “rebuttals” (affirmative and negative). Also, consider all of the things we have said about good argumentation skills.
For the debate you will write two papers to read. You are going to support AND refute a RESOLUTION assigned to you at the beginning of the debate. Remember, you are not required to persuade, only to argue – that is, you need to convince people that something is so, not to do anything in particular. For example, there is a difference between the argument “abortion is wrong” and the persuasive attempt to convince people that “we should ban abortion in the United States.” For this essay, I only want you to argue.
Papers for Your Job in the Group:
Person 1: first affirmative/negative constructive: (4 minutes) 1 affirmative; 1 negative argument paper
Person 2: second affirmative/negative constructive: (4 minutes) 1 affirmative; 1 negative argument paper
Person 3: cross examiner/rebuttalist: (3 minutes) 1 affirmative; 1 negative closing statement
You will be ready with both papers on the day of the debate; I will flip a coin; you will argue either negative or affirmative, depending on the toss.
Person 1 and two should coordinate to cover different parts of the argument.
Person 3 should sum up the arguments.
Parts of the Essay:
1) Introduce your issue – what is the debate?
2) Present your thesis.
3) Defend your thesis (the “meat” of the essay) – reasons why you are right.
4) Anticipate and defend against counterarguments.
5) Thesis + (you could add a persuasive element here)
Particulars:
Length: 3-6 pages (4 or 3 minutes' reading time)
MLA Format
Due: ________________
Hints:
Control and shape emotion.
Avoid logical fallacies.
Keep your facts accurate.
Work hard on anticipating counterarguments – leave no gaps in your castle’s wall.
Avoid use of “I think” and “I feel.”