The Great Debates: Kinesiology Senior Seminar 2015
Each class will debate three topics pre-selected by the professors. A vote will be taken to choose two
other topics for the debates for a total of 5 debates. Topics must be debatable and reflect a controversy,
not simply a problem to be solved. Each class will present the pro or con side of the debate. Debate
teams should come the night of their debate wearing professional clothes.
There will be five person debate teams with the following roles:
1. Researcher – searches for articles that provide pro and con information on the debate topic
2. Presentation Writer – works with the researcher. Serve as the primary writer of the paper;
thereby providing facts for the debate team
3. Topic presenter – reviews writer’s information. Writes and presents opening arguments for the
team
4. Topic questioner – reviews researcher and writer’s facts. Responds to the opening arguments of
the opposition team
5. Topic concluder – edits the writer’s paper and offers suggestions. Writes and presents the final
arguments for the debate team
Assignments and Preparation:
Each team member will bring one article relevant to the debate topic for review and potential inclusion
in the presentation paper.
The Researcher will:
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Review the articles brought by the debate team for relevance, depth and accuracy and provide
a minimum of five on his/her own.
Provide a summary of all sources used by the team, highlighting key points for the members of
the debate team.
Work with the Questioner to review opposing points to help him/her understand the opposing
team’s opening arguments.
Adhere to the timeline of providing this information to the team 10 days before scheduled
debate
Turn in the written summary given to debate team as evidence of his/her contribution.
Turn in correct bibliography using APA
The Presentation Writer will
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Consult with the Researcher and compile the research information into a readable paper with
good source citation (APA).
The writer will review the work done by the researcher and prepare a five-page paper that will
include:
1. three pages describing the key facts of the the topic
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2. one page describing facts pertaining to the opposition arguments
3. one page describing the summary arguments in favor of the team’s position
This paper should demonstrate excellent writing skills and nice flow.
Adhere to the timeline of providing the finished paper to debate team 7 days before scheduled
debate.
The actual debate
Topic Presenter 5 minutes to present the team’s stance on the debate topic
 Write and present the topic presentation script
 Make a compelling start with a story or a startling set of facts.
 Provide a historical background
 State the thesis and present three major points in support of the team’s position
 Provide a rationale for the debate and tell the audience why they should care about this debate.
Why does it matter to them? Why does it matter to the debate team? What are the stakes of
the debate?
 Offer evidence to support your primary three points
 Be prepared 2 days before debate for practice
 Provide written script and self-evaluation to professor after debate as evidence of contribution
Topic Questioner 2 minutes (anticipate the opposing team’s points)
 Prepare and present a counter argument to the opposing debate team’s opening presentation
 Pose questions about the presentation arguments
 Finish with a question which the opposing presenter will be compelled to answer
 Provide written script and self-evaluation to professor after debate as evidence of contribution
 Be prepared 2 days before debate for practice
Topic Concluder 3 minutes
 Prepare and present the closing arguments for the debate team position
 Reiterate the major points of the team’s presentation
 Offer refutations of arguments made by the opposing team
 Offer a compelling conclusion by reminding the audience why the debate matters and
is of significance to them.
 Conclude with an outstanding story or compelling quote that has substance that can be related
to the debate topic.
 Be prepared 2 days before debate for practice
 Provide written script and self-evaluation to professor after debate as evidence of contribution
During the debate, the team may caucus to discuss arguments of the opposition speaker and to present
points for the next speaker to include in the presentation.
Audience: The audience will vote to decide which team won the debate. Audience members do not
have to agree with the pro or con side presentations. The audience evaluates which team gave the most
convincing presentation.
The order of presentations will be:
Topic presenter on pro side
Topic questioner on con side
Topic presenter on con side
Topic questioner on pro side
Topic concluder pro side
Topic concluder con side