Unit(s): Argumentation
Purpose:
The purpose of this unit is for the student to actually experience the debate process.
Objectives:
Students to write propositions, gather evidence, organize debate materials and present the debate before the class.
Materials:
- Propositions of policy for students if teacher wishes to assign.
- Order of speeches handout.
- Duties of speakers handout.
- Sample First Affirmative Constructive Speech handout.
Procedure:
- Divide students into teams of two students.
- The teacher may select the topics or allow students to write the topics. Samples might include:
Resolved: That ___ school should adopt an open campus during the next school year.
Resolved: That ____ school should adopt a uniform to be worn by all students effective during the next school year.
Resolved: That ___ school should adopt a procedure whereby students evaluate teachers at the end of the school year.
- Affirmative and negative assignments may be made. The teacher may wish to have the students prepare to debate the topic both the affirmative and negative. They may then be told which side on the date of presentation or may debate both sides if time permits.
- Students will be given time to work with their partner to outline their position and to organize any evidence they gather. Note that students may interview classmates and/or staff at their school as sources of evidence.
- During the presentations, the class will take notes (flow) on the presentations and vote as to which side was the most persuasive and why.
| First Affirmative Constructive Speech | 5 minutes |
| Cross examination by Second Negative Constructive Speaker | l minute |
| First Negative Constructive Speech | 5 minutes |
| Cross examination by First Affirmative Constructive Speaker | l minute |
| Second Affirmative Constructive Speech | 5 minutes |
| Cross Examination by First Negative Constructive Speaker | l minute |
| Second Negative Constructive Speech | 5 minutes |
| Cross Examination by Second Affirmative Constructive Speaker | l minute |
| First Negative Rebuttal Speech | 2 minutes |
| First Affirmative Rebuttal Speech | 2 minutes |
| Second Negative Rebuttal Speech | 2 minutes |
| Second Affirmative Rebuttal Speech | 2 minutes |
NOTE: The first affirmative constructive speech is the basis for the entire debate. It is imperative therefore that it contains all the essential elements necessary to set up a good debate. The following is designed merely to be a model for students to work from. They should be encouraged to cite sources of evidence and label their points more clearly than this sample.
Marijuana has been used in the United States for years. The affirmative is here happy to be here today to debate this topic: Resolved: That marijuana should be legalized.
Marijuana is defined as a drug obtained from the dried leaves and flowering tops of a hamp plant, and it is smoked in cigarettes for the intoxicating effect. If this substance were legalized it would mean that a person could purchase this substance and use it without fear of arrest.
We've all heard a lot about marijuana. Is it harmful or isn't it? Some scientists say it is and some say it isn't. It has been compared to alcohol. Some experts say that it isn't as bad as alcohol. Some say it is worse. What can we believe?
The affirmative side is not here today to prove or disprove all the things you have heard about marijuana. We are here for one purpose and that is to explain to you why marijuana should be legalized.
The first reason for legalization is simple. The use of marijuana is widespread. Reports claim that between 27,000,000 and 34,000,000 Americans have smoked marijuana at least once. Exact figures are not available because people won't admit they have smoked marijuana because it is against the law.
The use of this drug is so widespread that it became an issue in the l992 Presidential Election when President Bill Clinton admited to having smoked (but not inhaled) marijuana.
Breaking the laws dealing with marijuana can have serious effects on the lives of young people. They may find their education interrupted and their future shadowed by having a policy record. An arrest or conviction for a felony can complicate a person's life. Indiviuals with apolicy record are very often not given responsible positions in business and other professions. Does this sound serious? It can be. And it is far too serious for the crime that has been committed.
Young people are curious about the world aroundthem, and they are curious about drugs. Goverment statistics say that two out of every three teenagers experiment with marijuana. Most of them just want to see how they feel if they puff a joint. Because of this curiosity should they be treated like common criminals? We, the affirmative, say no. We should legalize marijuana and thereby gain control over the substance.
The second reason we believe marijuana should be legalized is simple. The effects of marijuana usage are less harmful than alcohol which is a controlled and legalized substance. The use of marijuana has not been shown to be harmful. In fact, most experts estimate that marijuana usage is less detrimental than alcohol usage.
Because marijuana use is widespread and because it has few, if any, harmful effects, we propose that the drug made legal. This will be accomplished by the passage of a law by the federal government. Access to the drug will be through cigarettes sold to those persons over the age of l8. Tax revenue will go to the state and local government.
This plan will provide for control of marijuana. At this time we hear reports of users of marijuana getting other drugs dusted on their marijuana. Our plan will protect users from getting anything but a quality product.
This plan will also have the advantage of making money for the federal government and the state government. Just as we collect tax revenue on cigarettes we will now have additional money from the sale of marijuana. This money can be used fund those programs which currently are cut out of the budget due to a lack of funds.
Finally, this plan will help decrease organized crime. At this time marijuana sales and consequently revenue are in the hands of those individuals who select to break the law and grow or sell the drug. Now these activities will be legal and criminal elements will not be able to profit from the sale of the drug.
For all these reasons the affirmative team asks that you adopt the resolution and legalize marijuana.