MAKE ME! A guide to an awesome debate!

Four Parts 1.Introduction 2.Statement of Fact 3.Thesis 4.Arguments

Introduction Grab your listener’s attention Tell a short story or present a scenario Ask a rhetorical question Make a shocking or intriguing statement Read a quotation/statistic Explain how your topic relates to audience members lives and their own best interest

Attention Getter 1 Tell a short story or give a scenario Stories are most effective if they are true. Should be no longer than 4 or 5 sentences. Scenarios will start out: Imagine that… MUST RELATE TO YOUR ARGUMENT IN SOME WAY!

Attention Getter 2 Ask a rhetorical question Does not require an answer Makes the audience think Example: What do you think the world will be like in 2020? Example: Who doesn’t want to be perfect?

Attention Getter 3 Make a shocking or intriguing statement Needs to be based in truth Only one sentence long. Should be followed with clarifying statements. Example: We’re all going to die.

Attention Getter 4 Read a quotation or statistic Quotations should be from well-known sources. Should relate to the topic in some way. Statistics should be from reliable studies and can also be used for attention getting device 3. Example: “Science cannot stop while ethics catches up - and nobody should expect scientists to do all the thinking for the country”- Elvin Stackman (Noble Prize Winner)

Attention Getter 5 Explain how your topic relates to audience members lives and their own best interest Both the easiest and the hardest attention getter Explanation needs to be clear, exactly WHY should we care. Usually starts: we all want, all of us feel, most people…

Statement of Fact Can be two sentences to two paragraphs. Your SOF will come after your attention getter and before your thesis. Defines the topic and gives basic information needed to understand your argument.

Thesis Statement Once you have the audience’s attention, you need to make sure you clearly state your position. Avoid saying “I think…” You want to win the argument, be authoritative. “We should” “________ is wrong/right/good/bad/ evil/amazing.”

Thesis Statement Best types of thesis statements to use: Occasion/Position Example: While it cures diseases, genetic therapy causes more harm than good. List Example: Genetic therapy is harmful because…

Arguments Each note card should construct your argument. You first need to make a claim. A claim is your OPINION STATEMENT in your own words. Claims are your reasons WHY you agree or disagree You should have AT LEAST three claims for your debate

Arguments Once you have made a claim, you need facts to back them up. Three facts back up a claim. You can either summarize your facts or say them word for word. If you say them word for word, you MUST also tell where you got the information