Assignment X: Online Debate (XX%)

Description

Debates are an effective and lively way to help see more than one side of an issue, and a chance to practice persuasive and concise writing.

Part 1: You will work in small groups to prepare a compelling and persuasive argument on one side of an issue. Your group will post a short position paper to a discussion topic.

Part 2: Next, your group will be asked to prepare a rebuttal to another group’s position paper, in the same format.

Please refer to the rubric at the end of this document for evaluation details.

Note: A Peer & Self Evaluation is to be completed following the submission of your group work. While Peer & Self Evaluation is graded separately from the Online Debate, you need to know the following:

• Group members typically all receive the same grade for their Online Debate activity

• If through the Peer & Self Evaluation, it is deemed that you did not participate in your group work, you may receive a zero for both for the Peer & Self Evaluation and the Online Debate assignment.

Instructions

Groups are given their own private LEARN discussion topic to facilitate carrying out group tasks.

1. Get Organized
   Get to know your debate team: Group membership can be viewed by clicking Connect and then Groups on the course navigation bar above. If you are not in a group by the date indicated in the Course Schedule, please contact Technical Support at learnhelp@uwaterloo.ca. Technical support is available during regular business hours, Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (Eastern Time).

   • Introduce yourself to your group members
   • Determine roles and responsibilities for group members
2. Start Working
   • Connect to discuss the topic and brainstorm ideas for your paper.
   • Share research results. Remember to use credible information sources and respect copyright.
   • Author a position paper following the information listed in the Requirements section.
   • Make sure you have a persuasive argument and support your position with research.
   • Repeat the process for your rebuttal position paper.

How you will be evaluated

1. Each position paper (your initial post and your rebuttal) should be no more than 500 words (not including references). The word limit is strict – the best papers are also the most concise.
2. The post must consistently follow APA style.
3. For help with APA style, visit the OWL – Purdue’s Online Writing Lab.
4. Each paper is graded out of 16 points using the following rubric and together they are worth XX% of your final grade.
5. Learners may receive partial scores or a zero for unacceptable contribution to the group’s work.

How to Submit Your Discussions

Discussions can be accessed by going to Connect and then Discussions on the course navigation bar above. Each assigned discussion will have a specific topic (e.g., "Discussion 1") that will only be available on the dates indicated in the Course Schedule.