Debate Reflection Assignment

Compose a few paragraphs in response to the class debate in which you participated. Reflect on your experiences and opinions, and show how well you listened.

This written reflection should be…

• typed, with the appropriate heading and a title at the top of the page.

• organized into 4+ paragraphs covering the topics indicated.

• written as an “essay” rather than a list of responses. Don’t start your first paragraph by writing “Neutral because I didn’t know anything about the topic,” rather, use complete sentences and include elements of the question into your writing. For example, “Before this debate, I was unaware that there was a movement for a $15/hour minimum wage, so I had no opinion on the topic either way.”

• a reflection of your college-ready vocabulary and proofreading skills.

Paragraph One: What was your stance on your debate topic before the project? On what did you base your opinion, if you had one, or if you were neutral on the topic, why? When you were assigned a stance, what kind of information did you research? What information surprised you, reaffirmed your opinion, or otherwise engaged you?

Paragraph Two: During the debate, what was your role? What did you feel was the best evidence your side presented, and why? How would you describe your team’s performance in the debate?

Paragraph Three: Summarize the opposing team’s evidence for their position. What did you feel was their best point and why? (“none,” or backhanded compliments will earn no credit here).

Paragraph Four: What is your stance on the debate topic now that you’ve read and heard more about the issue, and why? If you have any final points to make that you didn’t get to make during the debate or thought of later, you may share them here. Lastly, describe an appropriate compromise  on this issue that you feel both sides could agree to...after all, the purpose of informed discussion in a Democracy is to solve problems.