Your debate contribution and performance will account for one-third of your exam grade beginning with exam two. Your debate grade will have two equally weighted components:

1) Performance Assessment - I will assign a grade to each team based upon their in-class debate performance. This grade will reflect an evaluation of the group's preparation, logical presentation and adherence to debate format rules. All members of the group receive one grade for this component

2) Portfolio Assessment - Each student will submit a portfolio at the time of the exam. It will contain the following elements:

a) Name of the debate and identification of your role (affirmative, negative, rebuttal)

b) A brief description of how you researched your arguments for the debate.

c) A statement of your opinion of which side that you think won the debate and why you think that.

d) A statement of your personal feelings on the debate topic

e) Optional comments

Your portfolio submission need be no longer than a page or two. You do not need to type your submission but it would be appreciated greatly.

Class debates will take the following form.

Opening Statements

4 minutes Affirmative (First person of team A)
4 minutes Negative (First person of team B)

Supporting Arguments

3 minute    Affirmative (Second person of team A)
3 minute    Negative (Second person of team B)

Five minutes for teams to prepare rebuttals

Rebuttals

Remaining team members will provide alternating rebuttals

1 minute Rebuttal (Third person of team A, etc.)
1 minute Rebuttal (Third person of team B, etc.)

General Discussion involving audience