This course emphasizes the ability to communicate your
ideas succinctly and effectively. While
personal opinions are meaningful, there is a need to ground such ideas in
research. This opportunity allows you to
rethink your own perspectives and ideas in relation to relative research.
In groups, you will debate the merits of a particular
side of an assigned topic. Your role will be to assure you develop a cohesive
argument, regardless if you agree with the position you have been
assigned. There is no formal written
component for this project.
Each group will be given two opinion papers – one will support their debate
position while the other will refute their agenda. While these articles are extremely useful,
they should not be used as the sole source of research for your debate; they
are the catalyst to further rigorous and systematic investigation.
The debate will entail the following format: Opening Arguments, Rebuttals (two rounds),
Closing Arguments, and finally Class Discussion. Not only it is important to defend your
position, superior debaters are ready to counter the arguments of the opposing
side. And such arguments must
be accompanied by tangible research (i.e. overheads, handouts, charts, graphs,
pictures) to make for a more meaningful and exact debate.
The Debate will be evaluated out of 40, divided evenly
into the Ministry of Education’s achievement chart categories of
Knowledge/Understanding, Thinking/Inquiry, Communication and Application. You will be evaluated on the thoroughness,
effectiveness, delivery and defense of your argument. Top marks will be reserved for students able
to articulate their ideas with a superior level of originality, sophistication
and invention.