Class,
Today was a great class! I hope you were able to make the connections between the commentary and parables of "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" to our progressing American culture and shifts in ideology. I also hope that our discussion on the electoral college, low voter turnout, and the differences between a Republic and a Democracy was helpful. As for our debate, I am hoping we can continue to pick up next week on some of the other topics concerning our 2nd Amendment. I do have some pointers I'd like for you to consider. When you are debating a position, ALWAYS define your position in clear terms. Do not give your opponent a foothold to define your position for you. If you are arguing for an interpretation of a "militia," you need to define in very clear terms what you mean by this. If we are arguing "arms," you need to be specific and clear by what you mean. Are you meaning all arms? Or are you suggesting that we define or limit this scope? Second, while you may have a cool popular culture reference, ultimately, that reference is weak when compared with an actual Supreme Court ruling. Each table had four cases to review. Two cases supported one position and two supported the other side. These cases could have been integrated into your arguments as SOLID evidence, interpreted by EXPERTS. Don't be so quick to dismiss them. Remember, we need CREDIBILITY when we are arguing. Those emotional appeals are great, but they won't win your debate. Look for solid FACTS. This is where the RENNSQQ formula can be helpful when preparing for a debate (or any really solid paper).
Reasons (these are your solid facts)
Examples (these can integrate some emotional appeal...think of the fear with the Venezuela epidemic)
Names (these are your experts, Supreme Court Justices, Founding Fathers, etc)
Numbers (the statistics, percentages, dates, costs)
Sensory Words (remember the word choice! There's a big difference between a wife and a "shrew." )
Questions (these can help you find more data for research or challenge your opponent)
Quotations (textual evidence and really amazing quotes take an okay argument to an excellent argument)
We will continue this debate over the next couple of weeks, looking at current events, recent court rulings, and political debates. Here's what I want you to realize. Our Constitution is a LIVING document. That means we are constantly renegotiating meaning. We already know that it isn't a "done deal" because we have multiple amendments. I know we haven't covered this yet, but at one time purchasing alcohol was prohibited by our Constitution. Later, that was repealed. These Amendments are not safe just because of their historical position. We need to be prepared to stand according to our beliefs and interpretations. My goal is to familiarize you with these debates and help you to recognize their complexities. Remember, I don't much care what your position is. What I am looking for is how well you can defend your position. If we are going to argue...and we will...(kindly)...let's do it skillfully. :)
Since you know we will be debating the Second Amendment for the next couple of weeks, I suggest you become familiar with some of the debates circulating. What does the opposing position argue? What IS happening in Venezuela? The Philippines? What about Australia and Japan? Or even Canada? How do gun laws work in other nations? What is unique about ours? What are the statistics? Is this media hype or do we have a real issue that we need to evaluate here? Read every reliable argument you can find. Is it emotional? Logical? Credible?
As for our literature portion, you only need to answer two of the questions on the handout I gave you in class. There is no formal writing this week. (It's coming...) However, you do have some readings. We are moving into some of my absolute favorite literature: the works of Edgar Allan Poe. And it's kind of great timing that we read this in October. :) For next week, please read: Edgar Allan Poe “The Raven,” OBAP p. 67 “Annabelle Lee,” OBAP p. 72-73, and “The Tell-Tale Heart” pp. 67-72 in American Short Stories.
Bring these books into class with you next week. We are going to discuss them and analyze them. I will have some more work from Poe for us to discuss.
Also, please read the section assigned for the Constitution. I want you so familiar with this Article that you teach it to the class. In fact, you will.
I will cover our other topics in class for history, so just focus on the Constitution, the debate topic, and the literature readings. This should give you enough to ponder for the week. Next week's debate winners get candy. :)
Today was a great class! I hope you were able to make the connections between the commentary and parables of "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" to our progressing American culture and shifts in ideology. I also hope that our discussion on the electoral college, low voter turnout, and the differences between a Republic and a Democracy was helpful. As for our debate, I am hoping we can continue to pick up next week on some of the other topics concerning our 2nd Amendment. I do have some pointers I'd like for you to consider. When you are debating a position, ALWAYS define your position in clear terms. Do not give your opponent a foothold to define your position for you. If you are arguing for an interpretation of a "militia," you need to define in very clear terms what you mean by this. If we are arguing "arms," you need to be specific and clear by what you mean. Are you meaning all arms? Or are you suggesting that we define or limit this scope? Second, while you may have a cool popular culture reference, ultimately, that reference is weak when compared with an actual Supreme Court ruling. Each table had four cases to review. Two cases supported one position and two supported the other side. These cases could have been integrated into your arguments as SOLID evidence, interpreted by EXPERTS. Don't be so quick to dismiss them. Remember, we need CREDIBILITY when we are arguing. Those emotional appeals are great, but they won't win your debate. Look for solid FACTS. This is where the RENNSQQ formula can be helpful when preparing for a debate (or any really solid paper).
Reasons (these are your solid facts)
Examples (these can integrate some emotional appeal...think of the fear with the Venezuela epidemic)
Names (these are your experts, Supreme Court Justices, Founding Fathers, etc)
Numbers (the statistics, percentages, dates, costs)
Sensory Words (remember the word choice! There's a big difference between a wife and a "shrew." )
Questions (these can help you find more data for research or challenge your opponent)
Quotations (textual evidence and really amazing quotes take an okay argument to an excellent argument)
We will continue this debate over the next couple of weeks, looking at current events, recent court rulings, and political debates. Here's what I want you to realize. Our Constitution is a LIVING document. That means we are constantly renegotiating meaning. We already know that it isn't a "done deal" because we have multiple amendments. I know we haven't covered this yet, but at one time purchasing alcohol was prohibited by our Constitution. Later, that was repealed. These Amendments are not safe just because of their historical position. We need to be prepared to stand according to our beliefs and interpretations. My goal is to familiarize you with these debates and help you to recognize their complexities. Remember, I don't much care what your position is. What I am looking for is how well you can defend your position. If we are going to argue...and we will...(kindly)...let's do it skillfully. :)
Since you know we will be debating the Second Amendment for the next couple of weeks, I suggest you become familiar with some of the debates circulating. What does the opposing position argue? What IS happening in Venezuela? The Philippines? What about Australia and Japan? Or even Canada? How do gun laws work in other nations? What is unique about ours? What are the statistics? Is this media hype or do we have a real issue that we need to evaluate here? Read every reliable argument you can find. Is it emotional? Logical? Credible?
As for our literature portion, you only need to answer two of the questions on the handout I gave you in class. There is no formal writing this week. (It's coming...) However, you do have some readings. We are moving into some of my absolute favorite literature: the works of Edgar Allan Poe. And it's kind of great timing that we read this in October. :) For next week, please read: Edgar Allan Poe “The Raven,” OBAP p. 67 “Annabelle Lee,” OBAP p. 72-73, and “The Tell-Tale Heart” pp. 67-72 in American Short Stories.
Bring these books into class with you next week. We are going to discuss them and analyze them. I will have some more work from Poe for us to discuss.
Also, please read the section assigned for the Constitution. I want you so familiar with this Article that you teach it to the class. In fact, you will.
I will cover our other topics in class for history, so just focus on the Constitution, the debate topic, and the literature readings. This should give you enough to ponder for the week. Next week's debate winners get candy. :)
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