What does it mean to you?

 Definition: an opinion, attitude, or judgment about an issue.  A point of view can be influenced by the historical context (values and beliefs of a time period).  A point of view can also be influenced by a frame of reference (personal background).

 South – pro-slavery (Democrats) ◦ Historical context: believed that they couldn’t survive without the cheap labor slavery provided. ◦ Frame of reference: good to their slaves, parents and grandparents had owned slaves.  North – anti-slavery (Republicans) ◦ Historical context: no need for slaves in the North, had immigrants that would work cheaply. ◦ Frame of reference: went against many people’s religion.

 Republicans – focus on big business and the economy of Texas; socially more conservative  Democrats – focus on improving social and environmental issues; socially more liberal  Interest groups – focused on a single issue. Examples: immigration, oil and gas prices, anti-abortion, etc…)

 Democrats – for change to immigration laws ◦ Historical context: Country built on immigration, should not turn people away if willing to work. Immigrants’ children should be educated in American schools. ◦ Frame of reference: Many may have family members, friends from immigrant background? Want laws scaled back to allow more legal immigration and allow illegals to become legal after arriving in America.

 Republicans – for change to immigration laws ◦ Historical context: Country built on LEGAL immigration, people turned away at Ellis Island. ◦ Frame of reference: Maybe they have seen a bad side to immigration? Border should be more secure to keep illegal immigrants out. Illegal immigrants are taking money away from Americans by stealing jobs and making us educate their children.

 Interest Groups – for change to immigration laws ◦ Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR): Fighting for more effective laws to prevent illegal immigration. ◦ American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): Fighting for the rights of illegal immigrants in the United States.

For a project grade, you will be creating a power point in which you tell your point of view on an important issue. You will need to: 1) Research the topic 2) Explain the issue to the class 3) Choose a side 4) Support your side with facts 5) Tell why the other side is wrong using facts

 Try to pick one that has something to do with Texas citizens.  topicresearch.htm - Good website for ideas. topicresearch.htm  You can also search Google for debate topics.

 Should cell phones be allowed in schools?  Should standardized testing, like the STAAR test, continue?  Should student loan interest rates be lowered?  Should teachers be paid more money?  Should junk food be sold at school?  Should the welfare system continue?  Should Texas ban capital punishment?  Should kids have to pass their classes to play sports?

 Pick a topic. ◦ Make sure that you pick a topic that is interesting to you and that you may already know a little bit about. ◦ Make sure that it is an issue that can be researched. For example, “Blue is a better color than red” would be a very difficult argument to defend.

 Do some research and find facts for BOTH sides. ◦ It is important that you understand both sides of an argument. It will make you understand the entire issue better. ◦ Write down your sources and information on the source page I will give you. ◦ You will need to record at least THREE sources and a summary of what you found at that source.

 Plan your power point on your planning page. ◦ You will plan out your presentation on the planning pages in your packet. ◦ Think about how you will be able to convince others of your beliefs based on facts. ◦ Show me your plan before you start creating your power point presentation.

 Create your power point! ◦ Make sure you put your information in your presentation BEFORE you change the font and design of your power point. That is NOT part of your grade.

 Make sure you manage your time well.  Please bring a thumb drive to save your work, if you have one.  This is individual work, so you can’t rely on others to help you.  This is a MAJOR grade, but there are other steps that are daily grades as well.

 Source Planning Page – Daily Grade due on ___________________________________  Power Point Planning Packet – Daily Grade due on _________________________________  Power Point – Major Grade due on ____________________________________