1. Today’s Goals
Conduct The class debate on the death penalty

2. Debate Rules/Structure
All individual speakers should talk for approximately 90 seconds
You will be penalized if under 60 seconds and cut off at 90 seconds
The pro side will introduce the topic and the con side will give the topic conclusion
Evidence rules strictly enforced: if it is not printed and brought to the debate, you may not use it (and your opponents may attack your credibility)
No cross talk – You may not speak unless it is your turn during the debate. If this occurs, you will be given one warning and then points will be deduced from your whole group’s grade
Final Problem
After all group members on both sides have presented their arguments, a brief recess will occur
A hypothetical problem related to the debate topic will then be presented
Debate groups will be given 2 minutes of planning time
Then a final 2 minute speaking session will occur. In this time, each group should present a solution to the problem (that aligns with their view on the issue), support it with the evidence at hand, and making closing remarks about their topic

3. Debate Evaluations
While the other group is presenting, you are responsible for evaluating their performance
At the end of the debate, you will be asked to select a winning side (pro or con) and rate each group’s use of rhetorical appeals

4. Debate Grading System Arguments 50% Counterarguments 20%
At least 1 salient point per group member
Utilize all rhetorical appeals
Arguments are rhetorically sound
Propose a solution(s)
Counterarguments 20%
Did the group take advantage of any rhetorical weak points?
Does every group member (aside from the initial speaker) address some kind of counterargument?
Time Management 10%
Are all speaking points adequately explained?
Individual Speaking 10%
Did the speaker maintain eye contact? Have good vocal variety and energy? Avoid using vocal filler?
Groupwork 10%
How well coordinated is the group?
Do speaking points overlap?

5. Debate Rules: Final Problem
After both sides of the issue have presented their arguments, a hypothetical but specific and contemporary issue related to the topic will be presented to the group
You will be asked to provide a solution or defend your position based on this problem/situation presented
You will have 3 minutes to prepare
Each side will have 2 minutes to make their case with the pro side going first

6. Final Problem- Death Penalty
Let us consider the hypothetical situation of John.
John was a average, everyday accountant who had never been in trouble with the law. One day he was in a bad car accident and suffered severe trauma to the right frontal lobe of his brain.
Although he recovered and seemed fine at first, there were lasting side effects. At first John was slightly irritable, then aggressive, and eventually he went to his job and killed more than 15 of his coworkers in a violent, brutal manner.
John was found guilty in court, but the sentencing has yet to be decided because of his intellectual disability due to his brain injury
Normally, the criteria for intellectual disability is an IQ of below 70. However, since John has the left side of his brain is intact, he is still able to score normally on an IQ test, but without the right side of his brain, his sense of right and wrong and emotions are far out of the norm.
Is John responsible for his actions? Given the severity of his crimes, should John be given the death penalty or a reduced sentence? Should the death penalty ever be used with intellectually disabled subjects?

7. Homework Rhetorical Analysis Draft 4 750+ words
Should include the full essay and works cited page
Will be evaluated and scored for grammatical correctness
Submitted to Turnitin.com as well as printed and brought to class