2017-2018 Debate Syllabus  

*Student & Parent Handbook to follow

Instructor: Jana Harrison

Room: E179

Phone: 726-7198

E-mail: jana.harrison@edmondschools.net

Remind: Text 81010, type in the code @db817

Office Hours: 3:30 p.m. until 3:50 p.m.  All other times by appointment.

The mission of the debate program at Edmond North High School is to enable students to be fluent, effective communicators and lifelong learners who have an understanding of themselves and the world around them.  To that effect, we have designed a program which incorporates 13 different speaking and debating events.  This course will serve as a survey course to expose students to different styles of speaking and debating. This course will also cover analysis of current controversial issues, research, evidence work, applied logic and reasoning, debate case work, audience analysis, motivation & delivery, and the use of strategy in debate.

1. Students will distinguish between argumentation and debate.
2. Students will practice argumentation formation through evidentiary research.
3. Students will practice Toulmin’s basic structure for an argument.
4. Students will evaluate the quality of different types of evidence and use the evidence to support assertions.
5. Students will structure and deliver an affirmative and negative case for one of the three debate formats: Lincoln-Douglass, Cross-Examination, or Public Forum.
6. Student will practice pre-emption and prediction to prepare for debate rounds.
7. Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills through analysis of issues relating to value debate.
8. Students will organize components of a speech: the introduction, the body and the conclusion.
9. Students will organize appropriate criteria for selecting topics for speeches.
10. Students will evaluate the effectiveness of their own speaking experiences.
11. Student will perform the elements of effective speech delivery.
12. Students will analyze and use constructive criticism of their communication skills by attending competition.
13. Students will develop and build a stronger sense of self-confidence and self-reliance.

Grading

Daily Assignments: 30%

Daily Practice: 10%

Tests/Performances/Competitions: 40%

Semester Exams: 20%

Late work impacts the efficiency of the team.  Any assignment turned in past the specified due date will be subject to a 10% penalty.  The best policy when a student is aware of an inability to complete an assignment is prompt communication.  Assignments will only be made up after regular grading is maintained by the teacher.  Students should, then, be aware that an average of 5-7 days are necessary to turn around late work.  Students turning in late assignments accept the consequences that may impact eligibility or academic standing. 

Parent Meeting will be held on: ______August 31st_____ from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in room E179.