Presidential Debate 2012-Extra Credit Assignment
The Presidential candidates will be meeting to debate their positions on various issues. Traditionally, debates
have been very important because they increase voter knowledge on the candidate’s positions. They also
influence how voters feel about a candidate. Debates can also change a viewer’s mind about the candidate.
Debate schedule:
1. Monday, October 22. Topic: Foreign Policy
All debates begin at 6:00 pm Pacific Time
To receive credit work must be done meaningfully and completely. It also must have your parent’s signature
verifying you did watch the debates. Only work that is handed in the day after the debate will be accepted. You
must also download the worksheets yourself from Edmodo.
20 points extra credit.
Decision 2012 Presidential Foreign Policy Debate Extra Credit Assignment
I. Before watching the debate, pick your top five most important issues concerning our nation. Write them in the “My top 5
issues/topics” column for each candidate.
Securing the border/Immigration
US image around the world
Libya/Syria
Homeland Security
Participation in the UN
Iraq
The Defense Budget
Afghanistan
China/Asia
European Financial Crisis/European Union
Women’s Rights in the Middle East
Africa
Terrorism
Israel/Palestine
North Korea
The Middle East
Latin America
Iran/Nuclear prevention
II. While watching the debate, rate each candidate’s answer using this scoring guide: 1-10 (1 is low, 10 high)
Candidate #1 Name:
My top 5
Knowledgeable
issues/topics
Supports
w/facts
Specific
answers
Persuasive
Connects
w/audience
Overall
Performance
Supports
w/facts
Specific
answers
Persuasive
Connects
w/audience
Overall
Performance
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Candidate #2 Name:
My top 5
Knowledgeable
issues/topics
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
III. After watching the debate, please answer these questions. Be sure to support your answers with specific examples from
the debate
1.
Did the debate influence your attitudes about the candidates? Why or why not?
2.
Were there issues on your top five list that were not discussed during the debate? Why do you think that was so?
3.
Were there issues raised during the debate that you considered irrelevant or unimportant? What were they?
4.
What did you learn about the candidates that you did not know before the debate?
5.
What was the most memorable moment of the debate-what will be in the news about the debate tomorrow?
6.
Make a detailed list of reasons why you are supporting either Obama or Romney (if you are still unsure, choose the candidate
you are leaning towards). Each of your reasons must have support (from the debate or another source). For example, if you
plan on voting for Obama because he will “fix education” what specifically does he propose to fix the problem?
IV. Parent Signature (must have to receive credit) “I certify that my child watched the Presidential debate to complete this
assignment”.
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