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HOW TO QUESTION EVERYTHING AND ARGUE WITH EVERYBODY
amberamberamber
Monday, July 12, 2010
WHAT IS THIS? I DON’T EVEN...
• In short, this is not your traditional debate class
• If you’re not already familiar with xkcd, you will be by the last class
•No trolling
Monday, July 12, 2010
INTRODUCE YOURSELVES
•Name
•Area in which you reside
• Something about which you’d like to argue
http://tinyurl.com/IntroduceYourselves
Monday, July 12, 2010
SYLLABUS REVIEW
•More details regarding the syllabus can be found at http://tinyurl.com/MoreDetailsHere
• There will be a some research-based homework which, while not required, will assist you immensely in preparing for debates
• I suggest keeping some notes and preparing for both sides
Monday, July 12, 2010
May 8th – • Classical rhetoric • Rhetoric in popular culture • Famous historical debates • Debate and Discussion
Should cigarette smoking be banned? May 15th –
• Topics to avoid • How to lose • SOMEONE IS WRONG ON THE INTERNET! • Debate and discussion
Should English be the official language in the United States? Recommended Reading: Heinrichs, Jay. Thank You for Arguing: What Aristotle, Lincoln, and Homer Simpson Can
Teach Us About the Art of Persuasion. New York: Three Rivers, 2007. Print.
Hirschman, Albert O. The Rhetoric of Reaction: Perversity, Futility, Jeopardy. Cambridge,
Mass.: Belknap of Harvard UP, 1991. Print.
If you have the activation energy, these books can be
useful.
Monday, July 12, 2010
MEDIA CLIPS WILL BE SHOWN
• I intend to incorporate popular culture within the curriculum
• You generally will not required to watch anything deemed NSFW
• I will warn you if we do go there
Monday, July 12, 2010
CLASS BREAKDOWN
• This class is going to last 7 weeks...or until I run out of material to teach
• Sundays will consist of lecturing and reviewing the debate from the previous week
• Tuesdays will consist of debating each other
•Attendance is not mandatory but obviously helpful
http://tinyurl.com/MoreDetailsHere
Monday, July 12, 2010
HELPFUL HINTS
• The most common point will be that “it depends on the definition of life”
•While this may be true, and is a good place to start your argument, it is not, in itself an argument
• In addition to saying that there is a difference between living and non-living objects, one must actually explain what the difference is
Monday, July 12, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
I KNOW THIS BECAUSE I’M A PSYCHIC
• Many responses will include examples of other non-living objects
• This is a good start, but not elaborating sufficiently will render your points moot
• Finding the precise difference between living and nonliving objects requires examples regarding the gray area in the middle
• The good responses will provide a specific yardstick by which to measure what falls under the category of living
Monday, July 12, 2010
SUGGESTIONS
• It is important to predict the arguments your opposition may make, but you shouldn't make those arguments for them
• Prepare a rebuttal but do not use it unless your opponent uses the argument you foresaw
• They may not think up of the argument even if it seems obvious to you – don’t hand it to them
Monday, July 12, 2010
HOW TO WIN
• Recognizing the basic debate behind a question is important in taking a position and formulating arguments
• Take a clear position
• Use outside information to back up arguments
• Use analogies to similar situations
Monday, July 12, 2010
ICE BREAKER DEBATEIs the rock alive?
http://tinyurl.com/IsThisRockAliveMonday, July 12, 2010
While rocks aren’t alive, The Rock is alive.
Monday, July 12, 2010
MONTY PYTHON’S ARGUMENT CLINIC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQFKtI6gn9Y
Monday, July 12, 2010
On Tuesday, you’ll be receiving a link to the debate below.
You’re more than welcome to research.
“Is homework harmful or helpful?”
Monday, July 12, 2010
