issuesdebate

Health and Physical Education Issues Debate

You (see topics and teams) will be assigned a current Health and Physical Education curriculum and instruction issue to debate with another person. You will be assigned to speak on one side of the issue (PRO) and another student will be assigned to speak on the other side (CON). In some cases, a journal article reference has been provided as a starting point in your information collection process.

Part I
To prepare for the debate, you will need to develop at least four (4) statements that support your position on the issue. Your statements must reveal 4 DIFFERENT perspectives/ideas/solutions/points of view. Your statements need to be based on some research, reading or other form of information (an interview with another faculty member might produce one such statement). In other words, you need to support your opinion with evidence from various types of sources (plural). (1) One source must be from an interview, (2) one from an article or text, (3) one from the web or a newspaper, and (4) one from any of the above (although it will be a different source than you used in the first three) - include your four sources/citations in your written submission and your presentation. I have noted an article or website for each of your topics - you can use this as one of your sources. A paragraph will be sufficient for submission with the appropriate citation noted with each statement. These WILL BE EMAILED to me in advance of the debate - I MUST RECEIVE THE EMAIL PRIOR TO THE FIRST CLASS PRESENTATION. (30 points)
All written portions of the debate are due December 6 before class.
Please send me your written portion as an email attachment.

Part II
Your preparation and delivery in the debate is worth 20 points. You will be able to have ONE note card with you, BUT you WILL NOT be able to read your statements during the debate (the card would be for quick reference when you are not speaking). The development of your position statements will have prepared you to present the information without reading it. (20 points)

each person will have a maximum of 30 seconds for each of 4 statements
the pros and cons will alternate speakers in a predetermined order
you will not actually debate, rather you will be presenting compelling arguments or statements in support of or against your debate topic - include your sources as a means to validate your statements
the assessment tool (criteria and rubric) addresses presentation and content.
You will be able to have ONE note card with you, BUT you WILL NOT be able to read your statements during the debate.

Advice on Debating with Others

Avoid the use of Never.
Avoid the use of Always.
Refrain from saying you are wrong.
You can say your idea is mistaken.
Don't disagree with obvious truths.
Attack the idea not the person.
Use many rather than most.
Avoid exaggeration.
Use some rather than many.
The use of often allows for exceptions.
The use of generally allows for exceptions.

Quote sources and numbers.
If it is just an opinion, admit it.
Do not present opinion as facts.
Smile when disagreeing.
Stress the positive.
You do not need to win every battle to win the war.
Concede minor or trivial points.
Avoid bickering, quarreling, and wrangling.
Watch your tone of voice.
Don't win a debate and lose a friend.
Keep your perspective - You're just debating.

You need to be very polite when disagreeing with someone in English, even someone you know quite well.
With someone you know very well, you can disagree more directly.

Date due: December 6 and 8 (all written portions are due December 6 BEFORE class) - just send me your comments as an email attachment.

Total Points: 50 points