1. OUR FIRST DEBATE You are going to pick a number for your first debate. The lower the number the more topics you can pick form, the higher the less topics Consider your opponent – tough in the first debate because you really do not know who is good or bad – maybe an idea, but you really do not know. Consider topic – what are you interested in is always best.

2. Please start researching Please go to www.procon.org/ This site is the only one you can go to for your debate topic and it is the only one you will need to go to complete your two paragraphs. You must complete two paragraphs for the topic. The first paragraph will be the affirmative, the second paragraph will be the negative.

3. What you need to do Your debate must have – at a minimum - the following seven sentences: 1)An opening – commonly referred to as a hook. Use a quote, statistic or even a cliché. Use a rhetorical question. Use a analogy or metaphor. But make sure it fits and aligns with your topic!! 2)A position statement – commonly referred to as your thesis statement 3)First reason to support your topic (or argument) 4)Second reason to support your topic (or argument) 5)Third reason to support your topic (or argument) 6)One point about your opponent’s side of the argument that helps your side 7)A concluding sentence – end your argument.

4. Examples – using the rubric – Opening Statement Standard: My topic is the death penalty. Above standard: If a close family member of yours was killed I bet you would want the person who did it to be facing the death penalty or maybe even want him to fry in the electric chair. Mastery: Dr. Van Haag, Law Professor at Fordham University stated: "Common sense, lately bolstered by statistics, tells us that the death penalty will deter murder... People fear nothing more than death. “ This is how I feel about people who kill other people.

5. Position statement Standard: I support the death penalty. Above standard: I think the death penalty is an acceptable form of punishment for someone who commits the worst crimes like murder, rape, genocide, and treason. Mastery: My position regarding the death penalty is I support all forms of execution including lethal injection (most humane), hanging, firing squad and the most cruel electrocution. 32 out of the 50 states agree with me. That means 64% of all states think the death penalty is an acceptable punishment for the most egregious crimes.

6. Supporting reasons Standard: One reason I am for the death penalty is because I think people should pay for crimes like murder Above Standard: My first reason for supporting the death penalty is it is morally wrong to commit certain crimes. Any crime such as murder must be severely dealt with and paying the ultimate price might serve as a deterrent for others. So we might actually save lives! Mastery: REASON: My first reason for supporting the death penalty is based on statistics. HARD FACT: According to a 2014 Gallup Poll over 65% of people surveyed favored the death penalty. JUSTIFICATION: This means a strong majority of Americans support the use of lethal injection as a means to ensure that a killer will pay for the crime his committed on an innocent law abiding victim.

7. Example of a constructive point Standard: One of the things my opponent might say is that the death penalty is racist. That is wrong. Above Standard: One of the common misperceptions of those who support not having a death penalty is that a greater percentage of minorities – particularly African Americans – are executed. This is simply not true. Statistics showed the General Population figures are very close to the percentages of those executed. Mastery: One of the common misperception of those who support not having a death penalty is that a greater percentage of minorities – particularly African Americans – are executed. This is simply not true. According to the non-partisan website statisticbrain.com the racial breakdown of those executed is as follows: 76% White, 15% Black, 6% Hispanic, 3% other. These statistical percentages are in line with general population figures according to 2014 Census Bureau which are: 68% White, 16% Black, 13% Hispanic, 3% other. As you can see they are very close and this common misperception is just that – a misperception – or worse a lie.

8. Example of a Conclusion Standard: I end my debate by saying that I have certainly proved my argument. Above Standard: In conclusion, I support the death penalty because it serves as a deterrent, it is not racially bias, and the killer will pay for his crime as it should be – we must all be accountable for our actions. Mastery: This debate is about whether we should have the death penalty or not. The reasons we should support the death penalty are: 1) serves as a deterrent, it is not racially bias, and lastly the killer will pay for his crime as it should be – we must all be accountable for our actions. Dr. Budziszewski, law Professor at the University of Texas stated: "Society is justly ordered when each person receives what is due to him. Crime disturbs this just order, for the criminal takes from people their lives, peace, liberties, and worldly goods in order to give himself undeserved benefits. Deserved punishment protects society morally by restoring this just order, making the wrongdoer pay a price equivalent to the harm he has done.”

9. COMMON MISTAKES Blending position statement with opening statement – how to prevent this is by placing “markers”. Example: My position in this debate ….. You are now telling your audience – and more importantly the judges – that you are transitioning from your opening to your position statement. Not doing research on your topic – it is clear in your debate when you just throw it together without doing research and it shows in the debate Not using transitions – or markers between parts of your debate. It is like following the rules of the road. Not providing “hard facts” for your claims. Just saying something is wrong does not make it so – why should I believe you?

10. COMMON MISTAKES (CONT) Making outlandish remarks – claiming something that even an idiot knows is wrong Not having sources for claims – especially controversial ones. You do not need to prove everything – do you need to reference there are 50 states? No. But an odd stat or fact – definitely have the website you got it from ready – because I will ask – and if you do not have it – I do not count it No consistency in two parts: reasons and conclusion. For reasons: every reason must have a reason, justification and hard fact. For conclusion: Must have an opening idea, a summary of reasons and a clear ending such as a quote, fact, etc.