Debate Casebooks
You say white, I say black. You say right, I say left. You say yes, I say no. Why? When we get down to the "why", then we have engaged in a DEBATE.
For this assignment, you will study different sides of an argument. You will read articles about a politically and socially relevant "hot" topic and report on those readings. Not only will you summarize and critique the articles you read, but you will also present your findings to the class as well.
Some of the articles for this assignment can be found in your textbook, "Patterns Vol. 11", but some are from "Patterns Vol. 10"; I will provide links to those articles that are not in the current version of your textbook. A few articles are from another Composition textbook called "The Composition of Everyday Life"; you will find links to those as well. Yet another few are just current news articles found online. Please make sure you cite all articles properly; the ones that come from the textbook are cited differently than the ones that you will find online.
Here are the social / political issues that we will examine. You will be assigned a group and be asked to read, examine, write about, and present on the articles that are particular to your given topic. Below each casebook is a list of the articles that you will be responsible for reading, writing about, and presenting.
M 08 November: Casebook 1: Media Violence
"Unnatural Killers" http://facstaff.gpc.edu/~jbusbee/Grisham.htm
"What's Next? A Movie Made Me Do It?" http://www2.selu.edu/Academics/Faculty/scraig/stone.html
"Violent Media is Good for Kids"
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2000/06/violent-media-good-kids-0
Casebook 2: Consumerism
Begin on pg. 629. "The Case for Wal-Mart" (631)
"Down and Out in Discount America" (638)
“Why Doesn’t GM Sell Crack?”http://dogeatdog.michaelmoore.com/whydoes.html and “The Politics of Consumption” http://bostonreview.net/BR24.3/schor.html
W 10 November: Casebook 3: Hate Crimes
Start on pg. 604. "Calling Nooses What They Are- Terroism" (606)
"Ignore the Noose Makers" (611)
"Obama signs Matthew Shepard Act" http://www.lgf.org.uk/obama-signs-matthew-shepard-act/
"Christians Claim Hate Crimes Law An Effort To Eradicate Their Beliefs" http://www.disinfo.com/2010/02/christians-claim-hate-crimes-law-an-effort-to-eradicate-their-beliefs/
Casebook 4: Gay Adoption
"Traditional Mother and Father: Still the Best Choice for Children" (will give you a copy)
"Laws Should Support Loving Households, Straight or Not" (will give you a copy)
"Gay Adoption Debate and Poll": http://www.youdebate.com/DEBATES/gay_adoption.HTM
F 12 November: Casebook 5: Torture
Start on pg. 679. "The Case for Torture" (681).
"The Case for Torture Warrants" (686)
"How Much Torture is OK?" (692)
"Torture's Terrible Toll" (696)
Casebook 6: Global Warming
Start on pg. 616. "The Time to Act is Now" (617)
"Global Warming Delusions" (623)
"An Apology to Future Generations" (I will give this to you).
For more information about ALL of these topics, click here: http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/patterns11e/pages/bcs-main.asp?v=chapter&s=99000&n=00040&i=99040.01&o=|00040|&ns=0
The Essay:
Essay Directions: Once you have read your articles, you will need to organize your thoughts about what you read into a cohesive 4-5 paragraph essay.
1.The first paragraph will discuss the topic in general and introduce the articles that you read. Provide a clear overview of the topic THEN bridge from the topic in general to the specific articles you read. The thesis will suggest which article is more convincing.
Example: If your topic is global warming, then you might begin by explaining what global warming is. Define it. Explain a bit about the subject and why it is a "hot button" issue. You might simply state that it is debatable and why. Then you'd introduce your articles/authors to let readers know that you'll be examining the issue by reporting on specific articles (however, do not use language like "this paper will discuss" (papers can't talk) or even "in this paper I will discuss" (write in 3rd person-- no "I's" or "You's").
2. Now, if you've read more than 2 essays, you may have to lump the like-minded ones together for the next part. Whether you choose 4 or 5 parag. format will depend on which articles you read and how related they are. Body paragraph 1 will report on one view of the issue and use 4-5 short quotes from the essays that you were assigned to examine that point of view. Please use ONLY the essays you were assigned. Ask me if you are uncertain how many paragraphs you need. If you have 4, obviously your paragraphs will be longer than those who have 5.
Example: Your topic statement might sound like this: Most Scientists agree that global warming is a real scientific phenomena, and Al Gore is an award winning environmental activist who has spent much time and effort warning people about its potential consequences. In his essay "An Inconvenient Truth," Gore makes a compelling case for the existence and negative impact of global warming. [The topic should introduce who the author is and give the premise for the essay that you are discussing. Then you'd go on to discuss at least 3 different points made in the essay; make sure you have 4-5 quotes per body paragraph.]
3. Body paragraph 2 will discuss the other point of view presented in the articles. Cite at least 4-5 short quotes from the 2nd article.
Example: Make sure you use a transition that links one point of view to the other. Your topic here might sound like this: Although Gore seems to have science on his side, global warming has become a political issue, and there are people who challenge not only the effects of global warming, but its very existence as well. One such detractor is John Doe who argues against global warming in his essay, "Against Global Warming". [yes, I totally made that up.]
4. If the third article you read presents yet another side to the topic, then it is okay to discuss it in a separate, 5th paragraph. Think of each of the body paragraphs as being a "report" on what you have read. Again, you will need 4- 5 short quotes.
5. The Conclusion will discuss which point of view is most logical and which essay was most convincing (and of course why). Make mention of titles and authors again in this paragraph.
The rest of the paragraph would then examine the ins and outs of that essay.
You must use at least 4-5 quotes from the essays in each body paragraph. Please only incorporate quotes that are less than 3 sentences (no long quotes in short essays).
This report should be approximately 2 pages- 2.5 pages in length with a header, title, and Works Cited page that lists the essays that you read for the assignment. Be clear, concise, precise, and succinct!
Internal citations: Quotes need to become a part of your own sentence; they need to be INTRODUCED, STATED, then EXPLAINED all in the same sentence. If the essay you are citing from is in the book, then put the page number in parenthesis directly after the quote; if it comes from the internet, then put the paragraph number in the parenthesis. You may have to number the paragraphs by hand.
The Presentation:
You will present your debate topic (see above for presentation dates). Your presenation will be approximately 20-25 minutes long. You will explain the issue and summarize each article that you read and how it relates to the overall issue. Everyone in your group must speak, and you should plan ahead as to who discusses which part. Spell it out: what is the debate? Explain each side. Why is it being debated? Were the articles well-written and convincing? Why or why not? If there was disagreement amongst your group about the issue, then you might make that part of your presentation.
Also, ASK QUESTIONS! Q and A should make up about 5 minutes of the presentation.
You must include a HANDOUT with your presentation. It can be a brochure or fill one full page. The handout should explain the issue and give links as to where we can go for more information. Be creative! You must have one for each student and one for me (approximately 20 copies).
The report is worth 50 points, and the presentation is worth 50 points for a total of 100 points. Attendance during the presentations will also be graded.
Typed debate casebook reports are due November 8, and presentations begin that day.
M 01 November: Fallacies/Bibliography Test Due; CB Work W 03 November: Casebook Drafts Due for Editing F 05 November: Research Paper Assignments/Research M 08 November: Typed Casebook Reports Due; Presentations 1 &2 W 10 November: CB Presentations 3 & 4 F 12 November: CB Presentations Wrap-Up
For this assignment, you will study different sides of an argument. You will read articles about a politically and socially relevant "hot" topic and report on those readings. Not only will you summarize and critique the articles you read, but you will also present your findings to the class as well.
Some of the articles for this assignment can be found in your textbook, "Patterns Vol. 11", but some are from "Patterns Vol. 10"; I will provide links to those articles that are not in the current version of your textbook. A few articles are from another Composition textbook called "The Composition of Everyday Life"; you will find links to those as well. Yet another few are just current news articles found online. Please make sure you cite all articles properly; the ones that come from the textbook are cited differently than the ones that you will find online.
Here are the social / political issues that we will examine. You will be assigned a group and be asked to read, examine, write about, and present on the articles that are particular to your given topic. Below each casebook is a list of the articles that you will be responsible for reading, writing about, and presenting.
M 08 November: Casebook 1: Media Violence
"Unnatural Killers" http://facstaff.gpc.edu/~jbusbee/Grisham.htm
"What's Next? A Movie Made Me Do It?" http://www2.selu.edu/Academics/Faculty/scraig/stone.html
"Violent Media is Good for Kids"
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2000/06/violent-media-good-kids-0
Casebook 2: Consumerism
Begin on pg. 629. "The Case for Wal-Mart" (631)
"Down and Out in Discount America" (638)
“Why Doesn’t GM Sell Crack?”http://dogeatdog.michaelmoore.com/whydoes.html and “The Politics of Consumption” http://bostonreview.net/BR24.3/schor.html
W 10 November: Casebook 3: Hate Crimes
Start on pg. 604. "Calling Nooses What They Are- Terroism" (606)
"Ignore the Noose Makers" (611)
"Obama signs Matthew Shepard Act" http://www.lgf.org.uk/obama-signs-matthew-shepard-act/
"Christians Claim Hate Crimes Law An Effort To Eradicate Their Beliefs" http://www.disinfo.com/2010/02/christians-claim-hate-crimes-law-an-effort-to-eradicate-their-beliefs/
Casebook 4: Gay Adoption
"Traditional Mother and Father: Still the Best Choice for Children" (will give you a copy)
"Laws Should Support Loving Households, Straight or Not" (will give you a copy)
"Gay Adoption Debate and Poll": http://www.youdebate.com/DEBATES/gay_adoption.HTM
F 12 November: Casebook 5: Torture
Start on pg. 679. "The Case for Torture" (681).
"The Case for Torture Warrants" (686)
"How Much Torture is OK?" (692)
"Torture's Terrible Toll" (696)
Casebook 6: Global Warming
Start on pg. 616. "The Time to Act is Now" (617)
"Global Warming Delusions" (623)
"An Apology to Future Generations" (I will give this to you).
For more information about ALL of these topics, click here: http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/patterns11e/pages/bcs-main.asp?v=chapter&s=99000&n=00040&i=99040.01&o=|00040|&ns=0
The Essay:
Essay Directions: Once you have read your articles, you will need to organize your thoughts about what you read into a cohesive 4-5 paragraph essay.
1.The first paragraph will discuss the topic in general and introduce the articles that you read. Provide a clear overview of the topic THEN bridge from the topic in general to the specific articles you read. The thesis will suggest which article is more convincing.
Example: If your topic is global warming, then you might begin by explaining what global warming is. Define it. Explain a bit about the subject and why it is a "hot button" issue. You might simply state that it is debatable and why. Then you'd introduce your articles/authors to let readers know that you'll be examining the issue by reporting on specific articles (however, do not use language like "this paper will discuss" (papers can't talk) or even "in this paper I will discuss" (write in 3rd person-- no "I's" or "You's").
2. Now, if you've read more than 2 essays, you may have to lump the like-minded ones together for the next part. Whether you choose 4 or 5 parag. format will depend on which articles you read and how related they are. Body paragraph 1 will report on one view of the issue and use 4-5 short quotes from the essays that you were assigned to examine that point of view. Please use ONLY the essays you were assigned. Ask me if you are uncertain how many paragraphs you need. If you have 4, obviously your paragraphs will be longer than those who have 5.
Example: Your topic statement might sound like this: Most Scientists agree that global warming is a real scientific phenomena, and Al Gore is an award winning environmental activist who has spent much time and effort warning people about its potential consequences. In his essay "An Inconvenient Truth," Gore makes a compelling case for the existence and negative impact of global warming. [The topic should introduce who the author is and give the premise for the essay that you are discussing. Then you'd go on to discuss at least 3 different points made in the essay; make sure you have 4-5 quotes per body paragraph.]
3. Body paragraph 2 will discuss the other point of view presented in the articles. Cite at least 4-5 short quotes from the 2nd article.
Example: Make sure you use a transition that links one point of view to the other. Your topic here might sound like this: Although Gore seems to have science on his side, global warming has become a political issue, and there are people who challenge not only the effects of global warming, but its very existence as well. One such detractor is John Doe who argues against global warming in his essay, "Against Global Warming". [yes, I totally made that up.]
4. If the third article you read presents yet another side to the topic, then it is okay to discuss it in a separate, 5th paragraph. Think of each of the body paragraphs as being a "report" on what you have read. Again, you will need 4- 5 short quotes.
5. The Conclusion will discuss which point of view is most logical and which essay was most convincing (and of course why). Make mention of titles and authors again in this paragraph.
The rest of the paragraph would then examine the ins and outs of that essay.
You must use at least 4-5 quotes from the essays in each body paragraph. Please only incorporate quotes that are less than 3 sentences (no long quotes in short essays).
This report should be approximately 2 pages- 2.5 pages in length with a header, title, and Works Cited page that lists the essays that you read for the assignment. Be clear, concise, precise, and succinct!
Internal citations: Quotes need to become a part of your own sentence; they need to be INTRODUCED, STATED, then EXPLAINED all in the same sentence. If the essay you are citing from is in the book, then put the page number in parenthesis directly after the quote; if it comes from the internet, then put the paragraph number in the parenthesis. You may have to number the paragraphs by hand.
The Presentation:
You will present your debate topic (see above for presentation dates). Your presenation will be approximately 20-25 minutes long. You will explain the issue and summarize each article that you read and how it relates to the overall issue. Everyone in your group must speak, and you should plan ahead as to who discusses which part. Spell it out: what is the debate? Explain each side. Why is it being debated? Were the articles well-written and convincing? Why or why not? If there was disagreement amongst your group about the issue, then you might make that part of your presentation.
Also, ASK QUESTIONS! Q and A should make up about 5 minutes of the presentation.
You must include a HANDOUT with your presentation. It can be a brochure or fill one full page. The handout should explain the issue and give links as to where we can go for more information. Be creative! You must have one for each student and one for me (approximately 20 copies).
The report is worth 50 points, and the presentation is worth 50 points for a total of 100 points. Attendance during the presentations will also be graded.
Typed debate casebook reports are due November 8, and presentations begin that day.
M 01 November: Fallacies/Bibliography Test Due; CB Work W 03 November: Casebook Drafts Due for Editing F 05 November: Research Paper Assignments/Research M 08 November: Typed Casebook Reports Due; Presentations 1 &2 W 10 November: CB Presentations 3 & 4 F 12 November: CB Presentations Wrap-Up
