Below are the topics that will be debated during the May 11th NYDL tournament that we're hosting at Hunter.

1) Human genome sequencing does more harm than good.

2) Mayor Bloomberg is good for NYC.

3) Ban Energy Drinks.

4) The US Senate should abolish the filibuster.

5) The FDA should increase the frequency with which they inspect meat.

Completed prep (5 DARE-I arguments for each side of each topic) is Due May 1st and should be submitted to hccsdebate@gmail.com

The United States is justified in intervening in the internal political processes of other countries to attempt to stop human rights abuses.

Define the following words and phrases:

justified:

intervening:

internal political processes:

human rights abuses:

What are some examples of human rights abuses?

What are the ways that one country can intervene in another country’s internal political processes?

How has the United States intervened in the internal political processes of other countries in the past? Was the United States justified? Why or why not?

Come up with 3 assertions for the proposition and the opposition:

Assignment:

Turn the 3 assertions for each side into full DARE-I arguments and come prepared with them next week to debate!

One thing that will help this process is researching some real examples of the United States intervening in the political processes of countries with human rights abuses.

Additionally, since this has been taken from an LD topic you can check out what other people are saying about what arguments might be made on each side and how to go about ascertaining the scope of the topic. Here is a HUGE (158 page) file on the matter and while I don't expect you to read the whole thing, you should check out the first couple of pages after the index that do the work of interpreting of the topic:

http://classroom.libertychristian.com/ClassDocuments/18078/12NFL4-Humanitarian%20Intervention.pdf

Guide to the Job of Each Debate Speaker: Part I

Below you will find part one of the information on the jobs of individual speakers that I handed out in class. Please use the information to check that you are doing everything you need to do when you get up to speak. E-mail me with any questions at hccsdebate@gmail.com

Coach Williams Guide to the Job of Each Debate Speaker: First Speeches

1st Proposition - 5 minute speech
Thanks: judge, opponents, spectators, own team (10 seconds)
Roadmap (10-15 seconds)
Define topic
Signpost: present prop arguments now
PROP 1st argument
PROP 2nd argument
PROP 3rd argument
PROP 4th argument
PROP 5th argument
*boil down case to essential conclusion the judge should make/forecast what the 2nd speaker will argue
End: This is why you should vote for the proposition, judge

1st Opposition - 5 minute speech
Thanks: judge, opponents, spectators, own team (10 seconds)
Roadmap (10-15 seconds)
Signpost: Refutation of prop arguments now
REFUTE 1st PROP argument
REFUTE 2nd PROP argument
REFUTE 3rd PROP argument
REFUTE 4th PROP argument
REFUTE 5th PROP argument
Counterplan (if using one)
Signpost: present opp arguments now
OPP 1st argument
OPP 2nd argument
OPP 3rd argument
OPP 4th argument
OPP 5th argument
*boil down case to essential conclusion the judge should make/forecast what the 2nd speaker will argue
End: This is why you should vote for the opposition, judge

*as time permits

Emancipation Proclamation Debate

I am very excited to announce that our debate team will be participating in a special debate event sponsored by our school's Mosaic Committee! This February in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation and Black History Month, some of our debaters will be chosen to debate each other in a special assembly. Eligible debaters will be chosen by Coach Williams, however, everyone can vote on the Emancipation Proclamation related topic! Please indicate in the comments which of the topics below you would prefer be debated, and why in a short 5 sentence paragraph.

The EP was not an altruistic endeavor

The EP was a military tactic to win the Civil War

The EP did not free the slaves

 

Looking forward to your input!

 

Maria Williams

HCCS Debate, Head Coach

Our New Blog

Hello Students and Parents! I will be using this blog to post information and documents I have created for our debate team's use. Please feel free to comment or to send me an e-mail at hccsdebate@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you soon!