Plan for Students – preparing for the debates.
Each class will vote on the debate topics. The top 4 will be assigned (preferably by
choice though all 4 need to be covered.)
-Space Research is a waste of time and money.
-Hydraulic fracturing does more harm than good.
-China takes air pollution seriously.
-Science greatly benefits mankind.
-Trash should be dumped in space.
-We should build more nuclear power plants.
-Evolution is an outdated scientific theory.
-Hybrid cars are more economical in the long run.
-Genetically engineered babies should be prohibited.
-Assisted suicide should be legalized.
-Green living can save the planet.
-Science and technology advance more rapidly than our understanding of them.
Persuasive Essay Assignment (due May 13)
Each student writes a persuasive essay for the assigned topic. Guidelines for the
persuasive essay are attached.
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Students must demonstrate that the point of the claim is relevant and significant to
the topic
Students must site sources for their claims, using original material, not reference
material.
Reports must be typed and double spaced
Students Debate Assignment
Students will debate the topic that they wrote on. Students will be working with other
students that wrote on the same topic. Students may be asked to take the side that they
argued against in their persuasive essay.
Format for the debate is 2 minutes of stating your position. Then questions are presented
to the debaters by the moderator and class. Then students provide 2 minute of closing
remarks. We will have two debate topics per class period.
Students will be graded on the debate, their ability to articulate key points, challenge the
other sides thinking and persuade the class. Students who are observing will submit a
summary of the topics with key points to be graded. A rubric for debates is attached.