Name:
CP English III
Date:
Mrs. Lynch
Research Paper/Debate Project
Directions: For the research paper this year, you will be required to select a
controversial topic and create a formal debate. This assignment will be done in
groups and will require you to write a brief and have an oral debate.
1. Group Selection
First, you will determine your group for this assignment. You need to choose wisely;
this assignment will produce three test grades. Each member of the group needs to
do his/her share of the work. Any issues in this area should be brought to my
attention immediately, NOT the day the assignment is due. A log will be kept
detailing each meeting and how each group member contributed to the assignment.
2. Topic Selection
Each group will need to select a controversial issue to research and debate. You will
need to begin by identifying a couple of things about your topic:
a) What is the status quo—how does the law stand on your issue currently?
We will spend time researching in the library so that each group can
identify what the status quo is and then each group can begin to examine
both sides of the issue.
b) The group will then divide into two smaller groups. One will represent
the affirmative and the other will represent the negative.
 Affirmative=The people on this side of the issue are
advocating for a change in the status quo. The affirmative
team will research information that will show what is flawed
with the status quo and why change is necessary. In addition,
they will present a plan to save the problems with the status
quo. The team must show that their plan solves all of the
current problems with the status quo without creating any
new ones.
 Negative= The people on this side of the issue support the
status quo and do NOT support change. They will show the
success and benefits of the status quo and show how change
will not benefit society.
c) Once the above has been decided, the groups need to start research. Each
group must have a minimum of 6 sources of information to support their
topic. You need to find sources that will assist with both the constructive
and rebuttal section lf your debate. You will need to have information on
both sides of the issue.
 Constructive—In this section, you are building your argument
for your side of the issue. (In plain English: “These are all the
reasons why our argument is right and here is the evidence to
prove it.”)
 Rebuttal—In this section, you are anticipating arguments
against your point of view and refuting them. This area is
Name:
CP English III
Date:
Mrs. Lynch
tough; you must anticipate your opponents’ argument
against you and come up with a counter-argument. (In plain
English: “Here is what you are going to say to prove I’m wrong;
here is the evidence to prove why YOUR argument is wrong).
In addition, you will also need to plan an attack on the other
team and responses to their defenses. (In plain English: “Here
is the evidence proving why you are wrong. You are going to
defend yourself by saying this; however, we are still right
because of this reason and here is evidence to prove it.”)
d) Research information must come from only valid sources, such as WHS
online databases or books. You may NOT search Google for information—
anyone can post anything on the Internet and call it fact. Only approved
Internet sites will be accepted. These must be approved in advance.
e) There will be class time given to work on this project. It is important that
every group member attempt to be here on those days. If you are absent
on one of these days, it is your responsibility to meet with your group and
find out what you have missed and what you need to be doing to fulfill the
requirements of the assignment. You need to be able to communicate
with your group members outside of school. Please swap phone numbers
and email addresses.
3. The Brief:
The brief will take place of the usual research paper. The brief is the written format
for your debate. The negative and affirmative teams will each work to create a brief.
This is your research paper and will count as two test grades. This is a group grade;
please see me with any concerns or conflicts as the arise, not at the last minute. The
brief and debate will consist of a constructive and rebuttal section. You will use your
research to help create the brief and debate. Attached you will find a step-by-step
guide on how to format your brief, highlighting what should be included in each
section. Follow the format closely, using all appropriate headings for each section.
Requirements:
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Brief and all of its requirements will be submitted in a 3 ringed binder. If any
requirement is not met, the binder will be returned and will count as a day
late.
Brief should be 6-8 pages in length—this means 6 FULL pages in length and
NO more than 8 full pages.
Your paper needs to be typed, double-spaced, in 12 point font, Times New
Roman.
You need a minimum of 6 sources for your paper and all of them need to be
printed and in your binder when you turn in your brief.
The Brief must contain a works cited page.
Your binder should include: 1) Brief, 2) Works Cited, 3) Rough Draft, and
4) All 6 sources
Name:
CP English III
Date:
Mrs. Lynch
4. Lateness Policy:
a. The final product (all pieces) is due at the start of your assigned class period on
the due date.
b. Absences on the due date will be treated in the following manner:
i. unexcused absence=late
ii. excused absence=turn assignment in the next day.
c. Only hard copies of the research paper will be accepted on the due date. BE
PREPARED!
d. As always, all briefs must be submitted to turnitin.com by the date and time given;
otherwise, the paper will be considered late until this requirement is met.
5. The Oral Debate:
Each group will conduct an oral debate on their topic. Attached is a hand out that
dictates the debate format. Each member of the group will be responsible for one
portion of the debate. The debate will count as a separate test grade from the Brief
and each person will be graded individually on his or her part of the debate. I will
post a schedule and each group will select a day for their debate. Everyone must be
there for the day of the debate; there will be a zero tolerance policy on this. Even if
one person is absent, the group will go on without that person and will have to
“wing” that person’s spot. The person absent will receive a zero for the debate
and his/her absence will greatly hinder the grade of the other members in the
group. Be responsible and be there!
Due Dates:
Preliminary Works Cited:
Outline with Works Cited:
Partial Rough Draft (1 page of the constructive and 1 page of the rebuttal):
The Brief:
Debates Begin: