Debate Schedule

Monday, June 8th
Dan vs. Nikki D.
Violent video games should be banned in the United States

Tuesday, June 9th
Kyle vs. Brian
Professional athletes should be allowed to use performance enhancing drugs.

Giuliana vs. Carly
Condoms should be available in every school's Health Office.

Wednesday, June 10th
Nicole T. vs. Patrick
Stem cell research should not be funded by the U.S. government.

Tori vs. Patrick
The drinking age should be lowered to 16 in New York State.

Thursday, June 11th
Connie vs. Nicole S.
Smithtown High School East needs to adopt a healthier lunch program.

Kira vs. Ryan
Assisted suicide should be legalized in the United States.

Friday, June 12th
Jon vs. Lauren
All zoos should be shut down.

Eric vs. Justin
The driving age should be lowered to 14 in New York State.

Your first set of constructives is due on Tuesday, June 2nd.

Final Debate Topics

Smithtown High School East needs to adopt a healthier lunch program.

The driving age should be lowered to 14.

The drinking age should be lowered to 16.

Police officers in the United States should not carry guns.

Stem cell research should be banned.

All zoos should be shut down.

Assisted suicide should be legalized.

Sex Education should be banned from schools.

Professional athletes should be allowed to use performance enhancing drugs.

The United States should institute a National Healthcare program.

Violent video games should be banned.

Condoms should be available in every school’s Health Office.

today

Today, I will be visiting each team to go over your constructives, specifically stock issues and plans.

You should continue to work on your debates.

If your team is finished and you are waiting for a conference, please peruse the following informal debate topics.

Animals should not be kept in zoos.

Santa Claus is a cruel lie that psychologically damages children.

Gym class should be optional.

High school should begin at 9:30.

iPods should be allowed in school.

Smithtown should have school uniforms.

Gym class should be optional.

Every student should have a laptop computer in all classes.

Cell phones should be allowed in schools.

Burger King is better than McDonald's.

All restaurants should offer a vegetarian menu.

A panel of students should decide the appropriate punishment for students with disciplinary offences.

Debate Preparation and Practice

Our debates have been rescheduled. Debates will be held as follows:

Monday, May 18th - RESOLVED: All high schools on Long Island should designate and area of the building for smokers.

Tuesday, May 19th - RESOLVED: All high schools on Long Island should institute a random drug testing program for students.

Wednesday, May 20th - RESOLVED: All high schools on Long Island should allow teachers to use corporal punishment.

Thursday, May 21st- RESOLVED: All high schools on Long Island should remove all Internet filters.

This week, you will complete your preparation for these debates.  In addition, I will be working in small groups to help you improve your public speaking skills.  We will hold very short, impromptu debates on a variety of topics.  These debate will be grades solely on your speaking skills.

Our final debates will be one vs. one.  They will be held June 8th through June 12th.  There will only be two weeks to prepare for these final debates.  That mean that you will probably have to do some work at home.  The format for these debates is as follows:

1AC - 3minutes 

1NC - 3minutes

2AC - 3minutes

2NC - 3minutes

1NR - 1 minute

1AR - 1 minute

Second Affirmative/Negative Constructives due Wednesday

Do Now: Copy this into your notebook --

Format (for this class)
1AC = 4 minutes
1NX = 2 minutes
1NC = 4 minutes
1AX = 2 minutes
2AC = 4 minutes
2NX = 2 minutes
2NC = 4 minutes
2AX = 2 minutes
1NR = 1 minute
1AR = 1 minute
2NR = 1 minute
2AR = 1 minute

Order of QuestionersThe first affirmative speaker is questioned by the second negative speakerThe first negative speaker is questioned by the first affirmative speakerThe second affirmative speaker is questioned by the first negative speakerThe second negative speaker is questioned by the second affirmative


Your second set of constructives is due Wednesday, 5/6.

This should mostly be your plan.

Be specific in your plan.

This is very important.

If your plan is not detailed and specific, your opponents will be more likely to call you out on it. Remember: THIS IS A CROSS-EXAMINATION DEBATE. That means the other team is going to ask YOU questions about what you have said. Don't give them an opportunity to rip you apart during the examination period. If you have a solid plan that has been well thought out, it is less likely that they will be able to hurt your argument.

RESOLVED: All high schools on Long Island should institute a random drug testing program for students.

RESOLVED: All high schools on Long Island should designate and area of the building for smokers.

RESOLVED: All high schools on Long Island should allow teachers to use corporal punishment.

RESOLVED: All high schools on Long Island should remove all Internet filters.

Due by the end of the period...

10 possible cross examination quesitons written together by you and your partner.

Your second set of constructives is due Wednesday, 5/6. This should mostly be your plan. Be specific in your plan. This is very important.