In this project, we worked on one paragraph at a time that we eventually and unknowingly turned into a position paper. Each paragraph was on different reasons why we believed the side we chose was right and we also wrote a rebuttal paragraph on why the other side was wrong. Then we tied it all together with introduction and conclusion paragraphs. When it came to the actual debates, we turned the argument and rebuttal paragraphs into summarized notes on cut cards. This made it easier to say our points and evidence in an organized manner during our debates versus just reading off our position papers. We had several days of just time to research the pros and cons of our topic before picking the side we would argue for. This would give us knowledge on some arguments each side could make. Before we began to prep for our debates, we first had to learn how to debate properly and how to flow debates. We listened to debates and flowed them after watching a quick tutorial on how to flow debates. We also talked about what it takes to make a good debate. To prep for our debates we had people sitting there listening to one person at a time tell what arguments they were going to make and then critique them. This made our final debates a lot stronger because each person had already practiced and laid out their points and evidence.
One take away I have from this project is to come into a controversial question with my opinion but still be open to the opposing side and the arguments that each side makes before drawing a conclusion but also to do your research and have evidence for what you have to say. I came into this project not knowing much about the Middle East other than what I’ve seen on TV and social media. I knew very little about the different customs and cultures, people, places, etc.. Before starting our process of creating these debates and process papers we had to really go to the root of what each question revolved around and get a greater understanding of it. We learned the differences between Shiites and Sunni, how what ISIS believes is different than the rest of them, what oriental really means, what the differences is between certain people who are targeted by the US because they think they are Muslims, and what ISIS wants. We learned a lot about these topics that most of didn’t really understand on our way into this project. I feel like now I can go into a conversation with people who have less of an understanding or a more negative image of the Middle East and tell them what I’ve learned throughout this project and hopefully convince them or at least get them to think about the topic more and do more research on it. I feel like I have also taken away the skill to be more flexible, even at the last minute, to question things I see on TV or social media, and to not always believe what is put out there on TV and social media. Whenever I argue with people I don’t always have evidence to back up my claims so then I look like an idiot if I don’t know what I’m talking about and rely more on pathos arguments. Through this project I have learned not only to use evidence but other types of arguments as well as pathos arguments. I learned that debates don’t always have to be people screaming or talking over each other to prove a point. I learned that in order to be a persuasive speaker, you have to stand at the podium or wherever you may be and speak as if you know what you are talking about and you are trying to get people to buy into it. Don’t just stand there reading off note cards, moving your hands or legs nervously, and talk as if you are unsure of what you are saying. Always have strong beginnings and endings along with points in between that stand out to your audience and make them really get why you are for or against the motion. I have learned when doing our debates to draw and connect the audience in more by making them feel a certain way and including them into your arguments. Overall, I feel as if I have grown in many different ways academically and skillfully including, being more flexible and okay with making different drafts if the first wasn’t perfect, researching may be a pain but it gives you better evidence, learning to work with new students, challenging my own beliefs and opinions by arguing against them, and use my strengths and weaknesses to my advantage. |
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