Reminders

We have a quick parent meeting tomorrow after Back to School Night ends.

We have two afterschool meetings next week: Tuesday from 5:30-6:30 and Wednesday from 6:00-7:00.

And Tuesday at lunch we have the weekly touch-up meeting.

----
All of these will be meeting in room 710.

Debate format

A debate consists of two teams of two. One argues for a measure and one against. They each try to convince the judge that they are correct in the allotted time (as follows).

• Both sides receive twenty minutes to prepare.
• The first speaker from the team for the measure (called the affirmative or aff) speaks for seven minutes.
• The first speaker from the team against the measure (called the neg) speaks for seven minutes.
• The second aff speaker speaks for seven minutes.
• The second neg speaks for seven minutes.
• The first neg does a five minute summary of their case.
• The first aff does a five minute summary of their case.

The general format of a speech

The speech is supposed to look like this:

1) Introduction - announce what you are going to say. This should be simple (ex. I believe that ___ is good/bad. This is because it ____, ______, and ______. )

2) Body - This consists of the three reasons that were listed in the introduction. These three topics should each be vague reasons why your position is right. Under that, you should have three details/bullet points to explain your reason.

3) Conclusion - round up your speech with some sort of summation. (Alliteration is not necessary.) Re iterate your main points and remind the judge why you are right.

Remember:

• In format, a debate speech is almost like a persuasive essay for English class. It has an intro, 3 reasons supported by specific facts or details, and a conclusion.
• Speak to the judge. This person is the only person who is going to have an effect on your score.
• This outline is essentially universal. The only difference in the preparation for different events is the amount of time you actually have to prepare it.

New Officers and an Explanation of Individual Events

Congratulations to our new officers:
Geneca Cobb - Secretary
Garrett Tom - Treasurer
Quentin Burns and Cory Scott - Co-publicity

Also, here is the list of individual events (this is the speech side of the club). They come in two groups - each person can enter once in each group. If you desire more informationon any one topic, go to this website. It has a popup that comes up, but is very informative. Examples of each can be found on youtube.com.

Group A
United States extemporary - you are given a US-only current event topic to speak on
Original oratory - write and deliver your own speech
Impromtou - deliver a spur of the moment speech
Original prose/poetry - self-explanatory
Thematic interpretation - for anyone who wishes to act out a scene from a play
Humorous interpreation - make people laugh with your funny story (written by someone else)
Lincoln-Douglas Debate - one on one debate, usually on a moral issue or current event

Group B
Foreign extemporary - you are given a foreign current event topic to speak on
Original advocacy - create a speech that focuses on something that you would like to persuade others about
Expository - a speech written to inform others (needs visuals)
Dramatic Interpretation - act out a piece of prose, poetry, or a play (non-original)
Oratorical Interpretation - read another's speech
Duo Interpretation - buddy up to act out a piece of literature

¡Bienvenido! (Welcome)

Hello, all.

This is our official North High School debate team blog (what a mouthful...). Announcements, pictures from events, and such will be posted here.

(No explanation - I just thought the picture looked cool)