February Public Forum: The Topic of Champions

This PF topic will be used to determine our State & National Qualifiers, study hard!! Find the arguments and evidence that will make you stand out and get the win!

Find the team evidence at My Student Resources!

February 2012 Public Forum Topic

Resolved: Birthright citizenship should be abolished in the United States.

Articles & Information:

Center for Immigration Studies

Arizona Bill Will Deny Citizenship to Children of Illegal Immigrants: CNN

Can Congress Repeal Birthright Citizenship? LA Times

Birthright Citizenship Looms as Next Immigration Battle

Defining American: Birthright Citizenship & the Original Understanding of the 14th Amendment

Mothers Without Borders: Undocumented Immigrant Mothers Facing Deportation and the Best Interests of Their U.S. Citizen Children

January Case Writing

LD & PF log-on to My Student Resources and begin finding the evidence you need to create your cases! Save a copy of the case outline to your documents and begin to fill in the blanks with the best resources you can find!

Policy use the evidence from the blog and find updates to any arguments you need! It will impress judges if you have inherency cards dated 2012!

Congress Legislation for BSU

Here are the Dockets!

Rookie Congress Docket – Frank Church Debates

Varsity Congress Docket – Frank Church Debates

Check out the upcoming tournament!

Interested to see how the entries for the Pi Kappa Delta Frank Church Tournament at Boise State are looking? Visit HERE!

Select the links for schools, debate or IEs (Individual Events aka. speech) to see how many entries there are in the different events!

January Debate Topics!! Let the Research Begin!

Policy debaters go here for instructions.

Public Forum & Lincoln Douglas:

Learn EVERYTHING you can today about your new topic and begin building your cases (need outlines?) and block arguments when you come across great evidence.

Make sure you go to My Student Resources – ask a classmate if you can’t remember the debatepassword

January/February 2012 LD Topic

Resolved: It is morally permissible for victims to use deadly force as a deliberate response to repeated domestic violence.

A few resources:

Whitman Brief

Facts About Domestic Violence

January 2012 Public Forum Topic

Resolved: The costs of a college education outweigh the benefits.

A few resources:

 Is a college degree worthless?

Rising costs make climb to higher education steeper?

Surging college costs price out middle class

Prepared Speeches

Learn all about your event and begin researching topics!!

Use the links under Pages (to the right)!

U.S. Government: How the Media Uses Polling Data

Beginning by reading, The Media is Poll Crazy in Campaign Coverage and answer the Reading Comprehension Questions.

 

Open the President Poll Questions Assignment Document and go to the Gallup Presidential Job Approval site to complete the project.

Got Questions?

Chris C. has started a debate forum blog for people to post questions and have them answered by varsity debaters! Great way to access information when you get stumped!

Check it out at  http://shsnhsdebate.19.forumer.com/index.php

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Student Congress Resources

Doing Congress? Check out these great websites that will help you put it all together to become an award winning legislator!

Bill & Resolution Templates – as well as a generator to turn your legislation into a pdf!http://congress.debatetab.com/

Learn Congress terminology and procedures and take a tutorial! http://www.studentcongressdebate.org/#

Student instructions for congress. http://www.coastfl.org/CongressStudentInstructionsforLeague.pdf

More Deep Thoughts for LD

These should be helpful in formulating arguments about the October Lincoln Douglas Topic!

LD Affirmative Arguments September/October Topic

Block Arguments Against Kant’s Categorical Imperative

LD Negative Arguments September/October Topic

Block Arguments Against Utilitarianism

New Topics!!!

It’s the first of the month – and you know what that means – release of the new Lincoln Douglas and Public Forum topics!!! Check it out!!!

Public Forum

2008 November Topic

Resolved: That the United States government should implement universal health care modeled after the French system.

 Lincoln Douglas

2008 November/December Topic

Resolved: In a democratic society, felons ought to retain the right to vote.

Looking for resources?

Public Forum:

Is Europe’s Health Care Better?

France’s Model Health Care Program

U.S. Spends Most on Care But France’s Treatment is #1

Universal Health Care Tip

Essays on the French Health Care System

Health Care Lessons from France

Lincoln Douglas:

Felony Disenfranchisement Laws in the U.S.

Restoring the Right to Vote

States Grapple With Voting Rights

Felony Disenfranchisement

Should Felons Have the Right to Vote? No.

Is the Right to Vote a Criminal Matter?

We Need Volunteer Judges!

Know an adult who can come volunteer to judge at speech and debate tournaments?

Encourage them to attend the workshop right here in Nampa!

When: Wednesday, October 22nd at 6:30 p.m.

Where: Nampa High School Little Theatre (Building 500)

What: A two hour workshop to learn all about debate and speech judging!

Free child care and refreshments will be available!

New Web Resource!

Captain Tyler found this great website for debaters!

ProCon.org has arguments for and against a variety of issues – including our new LD topic on the felony right to vote!

Check it out at: http://felonvoting.procon.org/

Felony Right to Vote Affirmative Arguments

Here is a compiled resource for the Affirmative on our new Lincoln Douglas Topic.

LD Aff Arguments Nov-Dec 2008

LD Felony Negative Arguments

Here are some potential arguments on the Negative:

LD Negative Arguments Nov/Dec 2008

You may also want to check out the topic overview at:

http://www.nflonline.org/uploads/StudentResources/FelonsTopicAnalysis.pdf

What Do You Think?!

Platform Speech Topics

Are you a platform speaker struggling to identify a good topic? Look over the pages to the right – Platform Speech Topic Ideas or Sources for Platform Speech.

If you are interested in public health issues, you may also want to research one of these potential expository or oratory topics:

Phthatlates - Phthalates are a class of widely used industrial compounds used in softeners of plastics, oily substances in perfumes, additives to hairsprays, lubricants and wood finishers. Phthatlates are banned in Europe and are known to cause cancer and infertility.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is used in baby bottles, toddler sippy cups, water bottles and other food and beverage containers. BPA is believed to cause birth defects and developmental problems. In addition, exposure to BPA has been blamed for a variety of other problems, including cancer, diabetes, obesity and attention-deficit disorder.

Radon - As many as 20,000 lung cancer deaths are caused each year by radon. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas. You cannot see, smell or taste radon, but it may be a problem in your home.

New Public Forum Topic

2008 December Topic

Resolved: That, on balance, social networking Web sites have a positive impact on the United States.

Is Health Care a Human Right?

Some say yes, others say no. What do you think?

Health care is such a major issue this exact questions was brought up in the Presidential Debates – here’s how it went:

The Second Presidential Debate

October 7, 2008

Tom Brokaw: Is health care in America a privilege, a right, or a responsibility?

John McCain: I think it’s a responsibility…

Barack Obama: I think it should be a right for every American…

Read these articles to get a better understanding one way or another!

Yes, Health Care is a Human Right

No, Health Care is Not a Human Right

A Great Article on Health Care

Want to see how different health care systems compare?

Check out The Grass is Not Always Greener Policy Analysis

It’s Speech Time!

Be a craftsman in speech that thou mayest be strong, for the strength of one is the tongue, and speech is mightier than all fighting.

 

Maxims of Ptahhotep, 3400 B.C.

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Time to focus our energy on our speech events!

 

Are you doing a platform speech (expository, original oratory, oratorical analysis, after dinner speaking, or salesmanship)?

 

What about an interpretation speech (humorous, dramatic, or duo)?

 

Whichever event you have selected, get to work making it the best speech possible! Use the resources in the pages to the right to find a topic, review event rules, check out outlines and descriptions, and make yourself a craftsman in the art of speech!

January Topics Announced

Lincoln-Douglas

2009 January/February Topic

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Resolved: The United States ought to submit to the jurisdiction of an international court designed to prosecute crimes against humanity.

 

Resources:

 

• Decorabilia: Blog with lots of LD Resources!

• International Criminal Court

• International Criminal Court Factsheet

• Coalition for the International Criminal Court

• Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court

• The Constitutionality of the Rome Statute

• Citizens for Global Solutions

• Universal Jurisdiction Factsheet

• Remarks by the General Counsel of the Department of Defense

• American Justice & the International Criminal Court

• The U.S. Government & the International Criminal Court

• Power and Interests at the ICC

 

Public Forum

2009 January Topic

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Resolved: That, by 2040, the federal government should mandate that all new passenger vehicles and light trucks sold in the United States be powered by alternative fuels.

 

Resources:

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• Alternative Fuels

• Alternative Fuels & Advanced Vehicles Data Center

• Energy Issues & the Long Range Update

• Alternative Fuels Issues in Congress

• UK Urges End to Petrol Cars by 2040

• World to Reach Peak Oil by 2040

• Crunching the Numbers on Alternative Fuels

 

For all of you wondering…

It’s a Girl!

LD Topic Resources from Debate Central

Here are some more links to help you with the current LD topic!

Affirmative Links

Negative Links

BRICS – February Public Forum

Resolved: That, on balance, the rise of Brazil, Russia, India, and China (BRIC) has had a positive impact on the United States.

Research Resources:

Dreaming With BRICS: The Path to 2050

Goldman Sachs BRICS Resources, including Video Interview

The Stanley Foundation – Rising Powers

Emerging BRIC Economies as Global Crisis Bites

China Most Appealing BRIC Market

Growing Pains: Brazil, Russia, India and China face economic hurdles

Brazil’s Leader Calls For Global Finance Reform

World Leaders Gather on Crisis

Your Opinion

 

March Topics Released

Lincoln-Douglas 2009 March/April Topic:

 

Resolved:  Vigilantism is justified when the government has failed to enforce the law.

 

Vigilantism Revisited: Why Can’t Dick Shoot Henry for Stealing Jane’s Truck

 

Decorabilia: Vigilantism Topic Resources

 

Vigilantism, 1937

 

Defining Vigilantism

 

American Legal Information: Vigilantism

 

Vigilante Justice: A Proper Response to Government Failure

 

Vigilante Justice in Latin America

 

 

Public Forum 2009 March Topic:

 

Resolved: That, on balance, the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001 has improved academic achievement in the United States.

 

No Child Left Behind: Testing, Reporting, and Accountability

 

Five Myths About the No Child Left Behind Act

 

Negative Implications of NCLB: Graduation Rates Go Down School Rating Goes Up

 

No Politician Left Behind

 

NCLB: Conspiracy, Compliance, or Creativity

 

States Charged with Implementing Bush’s National Education

 

NCLB: Misguided Approachto School Accountability for English Language Learners

 

The Issue Left Behind

 

Research Center: No Child Left Behind

March Evidence Available

For my students only:

You can access the forensics file evidence on the LD & PF topic using the link below. The password is required!

http://tkmiller97.wordpress.com/2009/03/11/march-topic-evidence/?preview=true&preview_id=636&preview_nonce=04bf5c133c

Remember Speech?

That’s right, as our debate season winds to a close it is time to focus our energy and talent on speech competition.

There are 13 speech events offered at the Idaho District & State Speech Tournaments…something for everyone!

You are really encouraged to complete in an event in each pattern. See Speech Event Descriptions by Pattern. 

Then learn more about your individual events by looking at the Oral Interpretation, Limited Preparation, or Platform Speaking pages!

Speak Your Opinion

It’s Starting to Feel a Lot Like Summer!

What are you doing this summer?

Don’t waste all three months basking in the sunshine!

Get a head start on next year’s season.

Check out the Summer Debate Camps page to learn about summer opportunities

or meet with Ms. Miller about scheduling a summer workshop for your event!

Advanced Debate End of Year Projects

You can now access the requirements and rubrics for the End of the Year Projects for advanced debate!

We’re Back!

The 2009-2010 Season is upon us! I hope everyone had a great summer and are ready to return fresh and invigorated toward the wonderful pursuit of great debate and speeches.  Come ready to rock!

Thinking About Poverty: Policy Topic 09-10

Resolved:

The United States federal government should substantially increase social services for persons living in poverty in the United States.

Learn about poverty in America at:

http://www.povertyinamerica.psu.edu/

http://money.cnn.com/news/specials/poverty/

http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/poverty.html

http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/domestic/poverty

http://www.heartsandminds.org/articles/childpov.htm

Check out debate evidence posted at:

http://www.debatecoaches.org/openevidence/

http://debate-central.ncpa.org/research/

Join the forum at:

http://www.cross-x.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?s=dd1518ae8147ea2fab00e274957964f4&f=146

Novice Case List Resources:

Provide aid to those homeless individuals with mental illness and/or other special needs.

(Limited to one or more of the following: Rental Vouchers, fully funding the National Housing Trust Fund, expanding aid to homeless prevention services, and/or funding maintenance of current public housing.)

http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/

http://www.libraryindex.com/pages/2311/Federal-Government-Aid-Homeless-VOUCHERS.html

http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/hcv/

http://www.endlongtermhomelessness.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Section_8_(housing)

Provide the necessary funding to expand early childhood education.

(Limited to one or more of the following: Even Start, Early Head Start, Head Start and/or Child Care and Development Block Grants.)

Early Childhood Education Brief

http://www.law.unc.edu/documents/poverty/publications/pungelloandcampbellpolicybrief.pdf

http://www.earlychildhoodfocus.org/artman2/publish/OK/Tulsa_Billionaire_Believes_Early_Childhood_Education_Stops_Poverty.shtml

Expand Food Stamps for persons living in poverty.

http://www.fns.usda.gov/FSP/

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gBPaHA8wyvhZsKWPW8Uxp30QpfqgD9B6HE0G1

http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=1274

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/02/12/am.callebs.foodstamps.blog.archive/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_Stamp_Program

Expand higher education assistance for persons living in poverty.

http://www.nccp.org/media/releases/release_32.html

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/242389_access27.html

http://php.louisville.edu/news/news.php?news=1360

http://www.questia.com/googleScholar.qst;jsessionid=KTqQ4KTChGQslQngZq0wPDQgcXTM0sMW42yBJvgnvNNhrWDXk1R2!-2016257069!-82436048?docId=5000582911

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-on-Higher-Education/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pell_grant

http://www.ed.gov/programs/fpg/index.html

http://www.educationgrant.com/grants/need-based-grants/

http://www.educationgrant.com/

Expand Medicaid for persons living in poverty.

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/home/medicaid.asp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicaid

http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/09/28/gvsb0928.htm

http://ccf.georgetown.edu/index/cms-filesystem-action?file=ccf publications/about medicaid/nasbo final 5-1-08.pdf

http://www.familiesusa.org/issues/medicaid/

http://www.tcf.org/Publications/HealthCare/medicaidbasics.htm

Poverty Videos

Check out the videos on poverty in America at:

Budgeting for Poverty: (Logic Appeal)

 Faces of Poverty: (Rhetorical, Emotional Appeal)

Making America Stronger, the Food Stamp Program (contains graphic images that may be disturbing to some viewers)
 

New Poverty Figures

Poverty figures from the Census Bureau just released –

http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/014227.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/11/us/11poverty.html

Philosophy & Fallacy Resource

The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy is a wonderful resource!

Read about the fallacies or pick a philosopher to peruse!

Colbert Debate Video

Click HERE to see a very funny video of Stephen Colbert addressing the National Urban Debate League!

Thanks to: http://grevillea.wordpress.com/2009/04/ for the above image.

New LD and PF Topics Posted

Lincoln Douglas Debate: 2009 November/December Topic

Resolved: Public health concerns justify compulsory immunization.

Find LD Topic Resources HERE!

♦

Public Forum 2009 November Topic

Resolved: Failed nations are a greater threat to the United States than stable nations.

Find PF Topic Resources HERE!

♦

Thank you to the following sites for use of images:

http://www.awarenessdates.com/2008/09/get-immunized.html

http://www.theage.com.au/news/opinion/russell-skelton/2008/03/16/1205602190300.html

Whaddya Think?!

 

December Public Forum Topic

Resolved: That merit pay based on student achievement should be a significant component of K-12 teacher compensation in United States public schools.

Resource Articles:

Pros & Cons of Merit Pay for Teachers

ERIC Digest: Merit Pay

Urban Institute Study of Merit Pay Systems

No Merit to Merit Pay

Pair Merit Pay: School Choice

The Problem with Merit Pay

The Good & Bad of Teacher Merit Pay

Bonus Pay Unmerited

Merit Pay Won’t Solve Class Size

Thanks to http://quakeragitator.wordpress.com/2009/03/11/dear-mr-president/ for the above image.

January Topics

Lincoln Douglas January/February Topic

Resolved: Economic sanctions ought not be used to achieve foreign policy objectives.

LD Debate Central Topic Overview

Office of Foreign Assets Control – U.S. Treasury Department

USA Engage (against economic sanctions)

A User’s Guide To Economic Sanctions – Heritage Foundation

Going Alone on Economic Sanctions Hurts U.S. More than Foes – Cato Institute

Economic Sanctions, Just War Doctrine, And The “Fearful Spectacle Of The Civilian Dead” by Joy Gordon

More information is available under the My Student Resources page. Information is password protected and intended for my students only. Thank you!

Public Forum January Topic

Resolved: President Obama’s plan for increasing troops in Afghanistan is in the United States’ best interest.

 PF Debate Central Topic Overview

A look at Obama’s Afghan Strategy

Obama Afghanistan strategy: More troops in quickly, drawdown in 2011

BBC Obama’s Afghanistan Strategy

Obama’s Afghanistan Strategy Must be More than More Troops

Barack Obama’s Afghanistan strategy is a gamble and the price will be high

The Next Surge: Counterbureaucracy – NY Times

New Afghanistan Rules Of Engagement May Hamstring U.S. Troops

It’s not just the enemy killing U.S. soldiers

The Afghanistan Problem

Stalemate: Why a real counter-insurgency strategy is not possible in Afghanistan–and why politics may be the answer

More information is available under the My Student Resources page. Information is password protected and intended for my students only. Thank you!

February Public Forum Resources

Resolved: In the United States, organized political lobbying does more harm than good.

National Forensic League Suggested Resources

Pros & Cons of Politics & Special Interest Groups (Lobbying)

What’s So Bad About Lobbyists Anyway?

How Americans Feel About Political Lobbying

Studies Show Banks With Political Ties Got Bailouts

Lobbying & Laziness

http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/directory/c/corrupt.asp

We’re Back! Looking forward to the 2010-2011 season!!

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CURRENT TOPICS

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Policy Debate 2010-2011 Topic

Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially reduce its military and/or police presence in one or more of the following: South Korea, Japan, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Iraq, Turkey.

Lincoln Douglas 2010 September/October Topic

Resolved: States ought not possess nuclear weapons.

Public Forum 2010 Topics

2010 October Topic

Resolved: NATO presence improves the lives of Afghan citizens.

2010 September Topic

Resolved: Allowing deep water offshore oil drilling is in the best interest of the United States.

Proposed Tournaments 2010-2011

Date	Tournament	Events offered	Who competes?
October 30	Meridian Novice(at Meridian High)	Novice Debate	All first time debaters only
November 19-20	Canyon County Classic(at Skyview High)	Speech, Debateand Congress	Everyone
December 3-4	Rocky Mountain Classic (at Rocky Mountain)	Speech, Debate, and Congress	Everyone
December 11	Columbia Speech(at Columbia High)	Speech	Everyone
2nd SEMESTER
January 15	Frank Church Invitational (at BSU)	Debateand Congress	Everyone
January 21-22	Eagle Invitational(at Eagle High)	Speech, Debateand Congress	Everyone
February 18-19	NFL DistrictsLocation TBD	Speech, Debate and Congress	*limited # of NFL members*
February 25	District Debate(at Mountain View)	Debate	4 best PF teams,4 best LDers, and4 best policy teams
March 11-12	State Debate(in Twin Falls)	Debate	*Qualifiers from districts only*
March 19	District Speech(at Borah High)	Speech	4 entries in each event
April 15-16	State Speech(in Coeur d’Alene)	Speech	*Qualifiers from districts only*

Suggestions for Great Speeches

Check out this link from Forbes on How to Give a Great Speech!

Thanks Scott C. for recommending this article.

Researching Our Topics

My students should check out the topic information in My Student Resources!

______________________________________________

This page is password protected and can be used only with authorization.

November Topics

The NFL just released the new topics:

The 2010 November PUBLIC FORUM Topic Has CHANGED

 

Resolved: High school Public Forum Debate resolutions should not confront sensitive religious issues.

READ:

Religious respect and civility a 2-way street

The Public Discourse

Public Forum Topic Selection

*******************************************************

2010 November/December LINCOLN DOUGLAS Topic

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Resolved:The abuse of illegal drugs ought to be treated as a matter of public health,not of criminal justice.

Obama Plan Leads toward Public Health Instead of Criminal Approach to War on Drugs

Reducing Harm: A Public Health Strategy

Treatment vs. Incarceration

Illegal Drugs: Consider the Choices – Public Agenda for Citizens

The Swiss Drug Policy – Institute for Public Policy, Rice University

More LD Resources HERE

November Case Resources

Students with authorized access should go to

 My Student Resources (password protected)

for updated November case resources!

Criminalizing Cyberbullying

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Public Forum Debate 2010 December Topic

Resolved: Cyberbullying should be a criminal offense.

Online Resources:

A Rally Cry Against Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying Research Center

Depression High Among Victims of Cyberbullying – National Institute of Health

More Resources

Topic Research Assignment

Online Research Day:

_

Read through the information provided below for your type of debate. Begin your case construction with any of the evidence you need for your case.

Remember to follow your outline:

• Public Forum Debate Case Outline

• Lincoln Douglas Debate Affirmative Case Outline

• Lincoln Douglas Debate Negative Case Outline

• Disadvantage Format

Follow these outlines even if your sources do not. Always remember to cut and paste WHERE you got the information and its DATE of publication (ex. The New York Times, October 10, 2010).

*

Policy Debate

---

Go to Open Evidence and research/cut cards on Disadvantages or other arguments you feel need improvement.

*

Public Forum Debate

---

February 2011

Resolved: Wikileaks is a threat to United States national security.

Click HERE for PF Resources!

_________________________________________________________________________

Lincoln Douglas Debate

---

2011 January/February Topic

Resolved:

In the United States, juveniles charged with violent felonies ought to be treated as adults in the criminal justice system.

Click HERE for LD Resources!

February PF Topic

Public Forum Debate

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2011 February Topic

Resolved:

Wikileaks is a threat to United States national security.

**********************************************************************************************

• About Wikileaks on Wikipedia

• WikiLeaks’ War on Secrecy: Truth’s Consequences

• U.S. Senators Call for Wikileaks to Face Criminal Charges

• The Wiki Dump: Why More Secrecy Means Less Security

For My Students

There are new links and resources on the My Student Resource Page.

~ Password Protected. ~

*

Take the New Topic Polls!

Congress Legislation for Eagle Classic

You can find the Student Congress Bills for the Eagle Classic HERE!

WikiLeaks Case Construction

Let’s get going on February Public Forum!!

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Case Outline

*

Topic Resources

The Debate Bible for CX

Policy Debaters!

Check out “The Debate Bible” to learn more abou the different types of advanced argumentation!

How Weapons Shaped History

Click on the links below to begin researching for the Weapons Timeline Project!

History of Firearms

Military History Resources Database

What a lovely color!

Advanced Debate Students:

What colors are you drawn too? How does color selection expose your personality traits?

Find out by taking the Color Quiz!

The “Truth”?

How do we know if we’re being told the truth by the media, our elected officials, and others in the public sphere?

*

Check out PolitiFact the Pulitzer Prize Winning website that researches claims to verify their accuracy.

*

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But what do we do if the facts don’t support our beliefs?

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“A man with a conviction is a hard man to change. Tell him you disagree and he turns away. Show him facts or figures and he questions your sources. Appeal to logic and he fails to see your point.” – Stanford University psychologist Leon Festinger

 

An interesting read on the subject can be found at Mother Jones in the article “The Science of Why We Don’t Believe Science”

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Remember, as the poet Taylor Mali once said, “changing your mind is one of the best ways of finding out whether or not you still have one.”

2011-2012 Policy Debate

It’s never too soon to begin researching for next year! See the policy debate Topic Overview and other related information at:

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DEBATE CENTRAL

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Political Spectrum Assignment

Instructions:

You are going to take a quiz to determine where you stand on the political spectrum.

If you do not understand what a question is asking, open a new tab and search for information to help you understand. If you still do not understand, ask the teacher to clarify.

Answer each question honestly as to your own belief about the issue.

Go to the website: http://www.politicalcompass.org/test to begin the test. When you are done, answer the following question:

1.  Where do you fall on the political spectrum? (Example: Left Libertarian)

2. What does it mean to have this spectrum result?

3. Who else has politics similar to you according to the quiz? (Example: Hitler)

4.  Conduct a Google search to learn about this person who has similar beliefs and answer these questions:

a. What is this person known for (leader of a country, a religion, etc.)?

b.  What are 5 words you would use to describe this person?

c. Can you find examples of their beliefs/behaviors that support where they fall on the political spectrum?

d. Do you believe you really are like this person? Why or why not?

5. Were you surprised by your spectrum result? Why or why not?

6. Do you wish that you had a different spectrum result? Why or why not?

7. Is there a person that you would rather be similar to (other than the one from #3)? Why?

When you finish – take the political compass quiz at http://www.gotoquiz.com/politics/political-spectrum-quiz.html and see if you have different or similar results!

Where do you stand on the political spectrum?

What’s Your IQ?

How smart are you really?

 

 

 Take this IQ Test to see what it says!

Exercise your brain power!

Play thinking games by clicking here!

 

Go to the Smart-Kit Puzzle Playground by clicking here!

 

Expand your vocab and feed the world at Freerice.com – click here!

 

Stretch the gray matter at braingle.com by clicking here!

 

Policy Topic Resources! Space!

Click on a blue link to access the article or website!

Resources Specifically Addressing the Debate Topic:

2011-2012 Space Topic Overview

Space Topic Paper (not the final wording on the topic)

Tons of Evidence/Plans/Disads/K etc. now uploaded to the Open Evidence Project from various camps

Kritiking Space Exploration & Development – from PuttingtheKindebate.com

Physics Forum Blog Discussion on the Topic

History of the U.S. Space Program:

Timeline America’s Space Program from NPR

The Current U.S. Space Program:

What’s Next for U.S. Space Program? from the Boston Herald

Poll Finds Support for U.S. Space Program from Florida Today

The Space Program’s Leadership Black Hole from the Washington Post

What’s Next in Space from Smithsonian.org

General Advantages of Space Exploration:

NASA Solutions: Benefits of the Space Program

Medicines from Space

Reading is such a chore…

Ugh, my eyes hurt from all of this policy ev reading.

I think I’ll relax by watching some episodes of NOVA! On the space topic, of course.

I am a bored LD debater with no topic to research…

You poor LD debaters. Those policy debaters have had a topic to research all summer and you have zilch!

Never fear. The NFL has published the topics that they will choose from for the upcoming season. We don’t know which topics will definitely be used or which months they will be for but you can go ahead and learn everything you can about each of them and be that much more prepared for the 2011-2012 season!!

1. Resolved: The United States ought to extend to non-citizens accused of terrorism the same constitutional due process protections it grants to citizens.

2. Resolved: It is morally permissible for victims to use deadly force as a deliberate response to repeated domestic violence.

3. Resolved: In the United States, possession of handguns ought not be an individual right.

4. Resolved: The use of eminent domain for private economic development is just.

5. Resolved: Estate taxes are just.

6. Resolved: A government has the obligation to lessen the economic gap between its rich and poor citizens.

7. Resolved: A just society ought to prioritize environmental concerns over the production of energy.

8. Resolved: In the United States, law enforcement ought to be required to have probable cause to search data an individual has stored on remote servers.

9. Resolved: Targeted killing is a morally permissible foreign policy tool.

10. Resolved: Individuals have a moral obligation to assist people in need.

Welcome Novice Debaters!

This is the Debate Blog! This is where you can find all kinds of resources to help you become an awesome debater.

Click on the debate event that you’ve chosen:

Lincoln Douglas      Policy Debate         Public Forum

 

 

                  
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New Topics!

November/December 2011 LD Topic

Resolved: Individuals have a moral obligation to assist people in need.

Some info on the topic: (click on a title to read the article)

Is there an obligation to help?

Various Theories of Moral Obligation

Create Debate Blog – See what others say on the topic!

November 2011 Public Forum Topic

Resolved: Direct popular vote should replace electoral vote in presidential elections.

Some info on the topic: (click on a title to read the article)

The Electoral College – Pros & Cons

The Electoral College Debate

Changing the Electoral College Getting Attention

Electoral College

In Defense of the Electoral College

Instructions for Case Completion

Make your CASE!!!

At this point you should have lots of arguments on both side of the topic. Now it is time to start putting it into your Case Outline (see under your type of debate below). In addition to 3 main arguments on  each side of the topic you also need an attention getter (look for a great quote that supports that side of the debate), definitions for the terms in the resolution, and more!

Are your CASES done?!

Build Blocks to use againstyour opponents!

Start by finding arguments/responses to your own cases!!

You need WAY MORE than 3 arguments on each side to be good at debate! Don’t settle for a minimum knowledge on your topic. Create an argument for every good reason you come across – affirmative or negative – you never know when you can use it to answer future attacks or opponent contentions.

Be looking for multiple warrants that support the same claims – think, for example how you will respond to an attack made against your contention – if you have another warrant that supports your contention, you can easily answer back in your next speech. You should have a large document that features a BUNCH of these arguments, called “blocks”.

Public Forum

Pro

PF Arguments – Pro ALL THESE NEED ARE IMPACTS!

Let’s Abolish the Electoral College

Con

PF Arguments – Con ALL THESE NEED ARE IMPACTS!

Slate: In Defense of the Electoral College

Against a Popular Vote

Public Forum Debate Case Outline

Lincoln Douglas

Whitman Debate Evidence Pack – People in Need

Indvidual Moral Obligation Starter Set

Affirmative

Beyond the Veil of Ignorance – On Philosophy

World Hunger: A Moral Response

Veil of Ignorance – Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Lincoln Douglas Affirmative Case Outline

Negative

Rational Egoism – Wikipedia, don’t quote – just learn!

Self Interest – The Virtue of Selfishness

Egoism – Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Lincoln Douglas Negative Case Worksheet

Policy Debate

Go to My Student Resources

Read an affirmative in the Galileo Affirmative document (just the part called the 1AC). Create a list with the name of the Case on top (ex. Helium-3) and write a few notes to help you remember the important parts of the case. Under that you should create a list of arguments that could be made against your case. Find the arguments against the case in the Copernicus Case Issues document and search for arguments AGAINST the plan you just read.

Don’t like some of these arguments? Go to Open Evidence to see if you can find better warrants (cards/pieces of evidence) to back up the main ideas.

Keep searching for more!

Thursday, October 20

Lincoln Douglas

YOU SHOULD COMPLETE YOUR AFFIRMATIVE CASE TODAY!

Be sure you are following the Lincoln Douglas Debate Affirmative Case Outline you need to have each component in the correct order.

Find info for Value/Criteria as well as Contentions in the handbook posted in  My Student Resources http://tkmiller97.wordpress.com/my-student-resources/

Remember, your arguments should have 3 components, a claim (main point of argument – one sentence), a warrant (a quotation, statistic, reasoning), and an impact statement (a sentence that ties the claim back to the resolution)

Don’t forget to put in an attention-getting getter, the resolution, definitions, etc.!

When your case is complete, time it to ensure it will be less than 6 minutes long!

Public Forum

Finish your cases!!! Make sure you have each of the components of the Public Forum Debate Case Outline.

Once your cases are written, each partner should choose who will be the 1st Speaker for each side of the debate. Time yourselves reading through the cases. There is no EXCUSE for going over time!

Cases done? Drill yourselves by doing the following:

One partner reads a contention from the case written by their partner (either pro or con)

The partner must then make a response to that argument (use your evidence book, other research, your own reasoning to refute the contention)

The first partner must now attempt to respond to the attacks made upon the contention!

Do this for as many arguments as you have time for – it is a full on mini debate and will sharpen your refutation skills!

Policy

2AC Scavenger Hunt -

Finding answers to negative attacks against your case!

On Open Evidence, select affirmatives and then open affirmative files for your case (Asteroids, Mars, etc.). Your goal is to find additional “cards” (pieces of evidence) that support your 1AC arguments.

As you find the arguments, copy and paste them into their own Word document and print. File them in your Affirmative information files under 2AC!

You are looking for additional cards to answer attacks against your:

Inherency

Solvency

Topicality

Advantages

Forms for the tournament!

Debate Student Code of Conduct

Nampa HS Parent Student Contract

Nampa HS Medical Release Form
Skyview HS Parent Student Contract

Skyview HS Medical Release Form

More Readings on the January / February LD Topic

Haven’t had enough research?

Scott found a bunch more links for you to explore!

http://www.farmingtonindependent.com/event/article/id/18952/

http://www.scotsman.com/news/get_tough_on_abuse_says_labour_chief_1_2036220

http://www.westernadvocate.com.au/news/local/news/general/breaking-the-cycle/2415648.aspx

http://www.wibw.com/localnews/headlines/Murder_Of_Manhattan_Mother_Sheds_Light_On_Domestic_Abuse_Cases_136984788.html

http://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/pdf/digest6e.pdf

http://www.un.org/ecosocdev/geninfo/afrec/vol21no2/212-violence-aganist-women.html

http://www.stopvaw.org/prevalence_of_domestic_violence.html

December 14 Instructions to Debaters

Review your case and all of your files and materials. Remember your last tournament and recall the arguments that you did not feel you had enough evidence to fully address. Begin looking for more recent cards to any outdated evidence in your 1AC, 2AC blocks, and Disadvantages.

In addition to seeing what Open Evidence has to offer, do some in-depth research of your own. You can search lili.org for scholarly articles and check out science news websites and NASA to make sure you are fully prepared for upcoming arguments. You don’t want to have missed any breaking science news that might affect your case.

For example, if you are running mars on the affirmative you better have an inherency answer that post-dates and/or incorporates the launch of the Curiosity rover.

Lets start to get back in serious debate mode – we have limited  computer lab time so please take this opportunity seriously in order to succeed!

Case Outlines for LD & PF

Lincoln Douglas Affirmative Case Outline

Lincoln Douglas Negative Case Outline

Public Forum Debate Case Outline