Civics Assignment:
The Presidential Debate: Obama vs. Romney
Ms. Fairchild and I would like for you to analyze and critique the presidential
debate this Wednesday night on Fox News Channel/ABC/CNN. Here is your
assignment.
You can watch the debate live from 9-11, or DVR it. You can read the transcript
the next day, or YouTube it. Whatever form suits you is fine. After you have fully
digested the content from the debate you will write a summary of the debate
analyzing the following points.
1. Who in your opinion won the debate? Why? Or was it a tie, and Why?
Explain your answer. One paragraph
2. Define how each candidate talks about the following issues: 3 paragraphs
a. The role of government –i.e. unlimited or limited
b. Federalism- which candidate sees a role the states should play in
governance i.e. strong state influence or strong national influence.
c. What is each candidate’s position on domestic policy specifically the
economy i.e. .the government should play a major role or the private
sector should have a freer hand. How? Explain the best you can what
each candidate articulates. You need not give all their talking points.
3. Conclusion. Summarize your points and restate why you think a certain
candidate won or why it was a tie or draw? 1 paragraph
Rubric for the Debate Essay
A Essay has 5 well defined paragraphs with thesis statement, transitions from
point to point, and little or no grammatical errors.
B Essay has 4-5 paragraphs with a weak thesis statement, has some transitions
from point to point and some grammatical errors.
C Essay is missing some paragraphs, has little or weak transitions from point to
point and several grammatical errors.
D Essay is missing thesis, conclusion, has no transitions from point to point, and
makes severe grammatical errors.
F Little or no effort in paper, two paragraphs or less, many grammatical errors
and no transitions from point to point.