Hello,
For the 2013-2014 season we're doing something a little differently. To get the most out of our practices, students need to come prepared. So, in lieu of a Monday practice we'll have assignments due. These assignments will always be posted on the blog and they will be due at midnight on Sunday of each week. I'll get a chance to look at your responses and give feedback at Tuesday's practices.
Before the start of the season, returning students have homework due! By Sunday, September 8th, please post your answer to the following prompt. Simply click on the 'no comments' link and submit your responses.
Your assignment is to post:
Your assignment is to post:
why do you debate, how do you debate, and what is debate.
We'll also have you share at the first day of practice.
I'm looking forward to our new season!
Why: There is a long, boring story about the reason I decided to join debate. However, I think the reason I decided to stay for my third season has to do with two things: first, it was the whole meaning of debate. This is a sport (and, yes, I mean sport) that challenges you mentally, emotionally, and, sometimes, physically (like when you spread...ouch). It's difficult, but the payoff I've seen is so completely worth it. The second piece of my reasoning has to do with the people involved with this team and the league. These students at the tournaments we go to are so nice and welcoming and encouraging, and our own team is fantastic. You will seldom see a group of people with so much energy and charisma. And we bicker sometimes, which is fine (some of us are going on four years of knowing each other through this program). In the end, we all support each other, inside as well as outside of the team.
ReplyDeleteHow: Though I like to think I'm generally a nice, good person, I've been told that I'm condescending and snide (sorry to that kid I made cry as a novice...oops). On the other hand, I've learned from Marina that if you know that someone is nervous or new to the game, you need to pull it back a bit so that the person has room to make it a good debate. If you don't, you look like a heartless troll with horrendous speaker points. I'm also not the best debater. I win some, and I lose a lot, but that's just part of the game, and something that needs to be accepted before someone's first tournament.
What: The smart-aleck answer would involve me listing off every detail of LD (unless that was what Aly wanted, and I'm just being an idiot). Debate, in short, is the intellectual conversation between two enlightened people. (My mom calls it 'nerd fighting.') It's fun and smart and just about the classiest thing high school students can do in their free time.
Good job, Sam! Thanks for sharing- Aly
ReplyDelete