AP Language and Composition Intro to debate conventions and analysis

Agenda: Rhetorical Device Bellringer Notes on debate Watch and analyze 2016 Presidential Debate Identify and explain the speaker’s use of rhetorical strategies and devices to support argument. Identify and explain fallacious reasoning. I can determine a speaker’s use of rhetorical strategies and devices to support his/her overall argument. I can determine when a speaker uses fallacious reasoning in an attempt to support his/her argument. Agenda:

Rheorical Device Bell Ringer: Complete your Rhetorical Device Bell Ringer

Debate Conventions: A debate is a formal, oral argument in which two or more people present arguments in a controlled, organized way. There are many common debate formats: The Oxford-Style Debate The Lincoln-Douglas Debate -Moderated Q&A -Townhall

Debate Conventions: The Oxford-Style debate is a debate in several timed rounds. The debate focuses on a single issue or question, which is presented as a motion (e.g. “School choice hurts the poor.”) There are two sides: the affirmative side (the side that agrees with the motion) and the negative side (the side that disagrees).

Debate Conventions: The Lincoln-Douglas style debate was made popular when Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas went head-to-head on issues surrounding the 1860 presidential election. This debate style has two opponents facing off against each other in a controlled, organized way. Each debater is given a time limit for each round.

Debate Conventions: The Moderated Q&A debate is a debate format inspired by the Lincoln-Douglas debate. In a moderated Q&A debate, each debater responds to questions by a carefully-selected, knowledgeable moderator.

Debate Conventions: Moderated Q&A Debate Format: Moderator: Asks Question 1 Debater 1: Answers 1 Debater 2: Answers Question 1 and Refutes Debater 1 Debater 1: Responds to Debater 2 Moderator: Asks Question 2 Debater 2: Answers Question 2 Debater 1: Answers Questions 2 and Refutes Debater 2 Debater 2: Responds to Debater 1

Debate Conventions: Townhall Debate was another debate format inspired by the Lincoln-Douglas debates and popular townhall meetings of New England. They are less formal than Moderated Q&A while following a similar format. In this style, the questions are asked by community members and directed at specific debaters.

Debate Conventions: Important debate strategies: Counterclaim: Your opponent’s views. Good debaters are prepared for the counterclaims to their arguments and know how to respond to them. Concession: When you agree with a SMALL piece of your opponent’s argument. This can build your ethos by making your seem fair/balanced. Refutation: When you disagree with your opponent after mentioning the counterclaim or making a concession.

Debate Conventions: What is different about debate and written argument? Body language and tone of voice matter. Debaters have to be aware of audience expectations and establish decorum. If their gesturing, facial expressions, or tone alienate their audience, they will not win the debate regardless of their facts. The debaters have 2 primary audiences to take into consideration: their opponent and the larger viewing audience, which complicates the rhetorical situation. In a debate, the participants are expected to have their evidence memorized. They cannot be researching while they debate, which can make logos tricky. Unprepared debaters are likely to slip into fallacy.

Debate Conventions: How do you win a debate? To win a debate, one must: Make the most logically convincing argument(s) based on factual evidence while avoiding logical fallacy Establish decorum with the audience and be seen as the most trustworthy, ethical debater Make an appropriate emotional connection with the audience in which the feelings evoked in them make them most likely to agree with the winning debater

Assessment: Today, we will analyze the first 2016 presidential debate. It is a Moderated Q&A Style debate. You will look for rhetorical appeals, devices, and strategies as well as logical fallacy. Eventually, you will determine who “won” the debate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuHuzhzb1nc (begins at 3:20)

Homework: Before we get back from fall break, read the chapter from Everything is an Argument on Style in Rhetoric.