Year 8 English 2008

Unit 4: Debating

Due Date: Term 2, Week 9, 2008

Purpose of this Assignment:

In this unit, you have studied how to debate and the techniques for successful formal speaking. The purpose of this assignment is to assess how well you can argue a structured case, communicate orally, and work in a team.

Outcomes:

2. Students use a range of processes for responding to and composing texts.

5. Students make informed language choices to shape meaning with accuracy, clarity and coherence.

6. Students draw on experience, information and ideas to imaginatively and interpretively respond to and compose texts.

7. Students think critically and interpretively about information, ideas and arguments to respond to and compose texts.

11.Students use, reflect on and assess individual and collaborative skills for learning.

Task:

As a member of a debating team, prepare a three-minute speech as either a first, second or third speaker.

Marks: 100

• Brainstorming, rough drafts and editing of your speech must appear in your workbook. Teachers will be monitoring the process of your speech writing.
• Working in groups, as well as individually, is an important part of this task.
• You will also need to research your topic in various ways in order to support your arguments adequately.
• Allow time for rehearsing your speech and improving your delivery.

Assignment Planner:

Once you have your topic and your team has been assigned Affirmative or Negative . . .

1. Define

Decide on what your Team Line is to be - a sentence or phrase which will sum up how you are going to prove your case.

Define the topic - What is one word that sums up the issue to be debated?

Allocate group members to their roles and revise the responsibilities of each team member.

2. Locate

Revise information you have been given about Manner, Matter and Method.

3. Create

Brainstorm the Matter for your team's case - facts, figures, quotations that can be used to support your arguments. Remember the best matter is interesting matter.

4. Create and Organise

Who is going to talk about what? Each side splits the Matter/material into two logical divisions for allocation. This should be divided among first and second speakers only according to the correct rules for method.

5. Create and Organise

Write a first draft of your speech. Be sure to include an appropriate greeting/introduction, and conclusion. Make sure you are developing your team's case in your speech. Ensure the method for your speech is correct.

6. Organise

Present your individual speech to your fellow team members. Provide feedback to your team members on how to improve their speeches. Remember that the case presented is a team effort. Now do final editing and organising of individual speeches and team case.

Consider what the other team is likely to argue. Try to anticipate their arguments and prepare some points for rebuttal.

Also anticipate how the other team may refute your own arguments.

7. Organise

Reduce your speech to points on palm cards. Use keywords and facts, not whole sentences.

Ensure these cards are legible.

8. Present

Rehearse your speech and ensure that your manner is correct.

Make sure that your speech falls within the acceptable time limits.

Be on time with all the materials you will need on the day.

Have paper ready to note down points for rebuttal during the debate.

During the debate: Listen carefully to what the other team is arguing. Note down points to attack their arguments or changes in their team line. Quietly share ideas with your team. Concentrate on their Matter not their Manner.

9. Assess

Your team will be assessed on:

Matter - Definition; Team Line; Examples; Rebuttal 40 pts

Manner - Gestures; Use of Voice; Audience Rapport 40 pts

Method - Structure of Speech; Use of time; Evidence of team work 20 pts

You will assessed on your:

• Opening
• Definition
• Introduction
• Arguments
• Evidence
• Use of Persuasive Language and Rhetorical Devices
• Rebuttals
• Conclusion
• Preparation
• Delivery
• Use of palm cards
• Timing

Bishop Druitt College

Year 7- 8 Debating

Individual Speaker’s Feedback Sheet

Student Name:

Outcome / Indicator	Content Assessed	VH	H	S	L
2. b) Prepares and presents debates effectively	Student’s speech is logical, relevant and organised
4. Uses and describes the language structures and features of debates	Student uses appropriate speech structure relevant to debating, content shows evidence of understanding the importance of matter in a debate.
5. Uses language effectively, appropriate to audience, purpose and form	Student’s speech delivery (manner) is expressive, appropriate and effective
6. Draws on personal experiences in creating debates	Student shows evidence of having understood and incorporated social issues and stories into the debate
7. Thinks critically about information, ideas and arguments	Student’s speech is informative, structured with sound arguments. Evidence of having argued using rebuttal technique

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