SPCH 20 Homework Assignments

Homework #1

NAME:________________________________  SPCH 20 - Homework Assignment #1 – 25 points

This semester we will be practicing a format of debate called IPDA (International Public Debate Association) debate. IPDA tries to blend both persuasion and argumentation in a format that is accessible to debaters and audience members.

The topics for the debate change each and every debate. This creates the need to debate lots of different topics throughout the semester. As such, I would like to solicit ideas for our debate resolutions from you so we can debate issues that are interesting to you.

Please write 5 areas that you would like to debate along with a 3-4 sentence justification of why you think this topic would be educational and interesting to debate this semester.

For example, one example you could write would be a topic we almost always debate in this class: the death penalty.  You would then need to provide 3-4 sentences explaining why the death penalty would be a good topic ("There is lots of research and news articles available on the death penalty.  Many people have strong feelings on whether it promotes justice or is an example of injustice.")

 From the areas submitted I will try to write topics for the debates. Please feel free to be creative and draw upon topics that you would enjoy discussing for 20 minutes during class. Topics must be appropriate for in-class discussion. This homework assignment must be typed to receive credit.

1. _______________________________________________

Justification: This topic is good because....

2. _______________________________________________

Justification: This topic is good because....

3. _______________________________________________

Justification: This topic is good because....

4. _______________________________________________

Justification: This topic is good because....

5. _______________________________________________

Justification: This topic is good because....

Homework #2

NAME:________________________________   SPCH 20 - Homework Assignment #2 – 25 points

Please watch the sample IPDA debate listed below available on youtube. After watching the debate, please answer the following three questions using the critical thinking model and specifically the Intellectual Standards listed at the top. 

http://www.criticalthinking.org/CTmodel/CTModel1.cfm

2016 PSCFA Demo Day - IPDA Debate

PROMPT #2: Please answer the following three questions:

1. Which side do you think won the debate? Why?
2. What was the best argument for the resolution? Why? (please use intellectual standards)
3. What was the best argument against the resolution? Why? (please use intellectual standards)