John v. Steven

I'm proud of these two students.  Both came up prepared and shined.  This debate was so close that only a slip up by Steven allowed the judges to vote towards a particular debater.  How is it possible that men are not equal (john's assertion) when all are equal in God's eyes (Steven's slip up)?  The rebuttal could have been a great place for steven to address this issue.  Science also seems to haunt our abolish side.  Prove that they are men, don't just say they physically look alike.  That was not enough back then it is not working now.  Kenny did a decent job suggesting that animals can't learn/practice religion but what if these "animals" could?

Gabe vs. Rachel

This was a wonderful debate.  Rachel's argument against abolishment has become one of my favorites of all time (minus the fact that she tried to deliver 4 points).  Slave owners do not feed them well because they need to be working in the fields and can't be too strong to rebel.  They are the inferior class of people and are meant to be in the fields.  They are essential to the American economy as those workers.  These are sound reasons.  BUT, Gabe was able to do something not many students have been successful at-proving that the conditions are not better by arguing the actual benefits pro-slavery people say they get.  This is excellent thinking!  This debate was so close that this point became the deciding factor.  I hope more debates are like this one today.

Leah vs. Shakira

She might be quiet during class, but I wouldn't want to debate Leah.  She not only creatively applied the Fourth Amendment, she was able to get to the roots of the evils of slavery--treatment.  Earlier comments to the class focused on getting the abolishment side to really step up their rhetoric and reasoning for why one would care if humans are treated poorly (consider that advocates for slavery didn't necessarily think that slaves were humans or deserve equal treatment)  Leah was able to punch this a hole in this today.  Shakira attempted to beat her opponent with strategy, not necessarily a horrible approach being that scoring could determine the debate.  She is the only student to every attempt to deliver 5 arguments but as we learned today, this might not be the most effective strategy.  2-3 strong arguments seem to still hold more weight over 4-5 less argued points.

Talissa vs. Liam

Stepping up to the plate last minute, Liam took today's first win.  Liam tied science into the debate (no effective rebuttal yet), making his teacher quite proud, and did a stellar job during CX.  Talissa was ALMOST trapped in the corner with Liam's Adam and Eve questioning but managed to escape by challenging pro-slavery people to consider who can play god and how can't.  Congratulations to our senior, we will miss you!

Ruth vs. Maria

Getting better.... Both debaters came to the podium well prepared with killer opening statements.  Maria was able to strengthen her arguments during the CX with prepared questions.  She thought out what she would ask and it showed.  Hint: show up to the podium with prepared questions just in case you get stuck or really want to hammer in a point.  Maria did an outstanding job arguing the U.S. Constitution but the most important thing in my eyes that happened was the introduction of the contradiction known as Thomas Jefferson. 

Remember, rebuttals are really important to knock out opponents arguments and stress what has happened during the debate.  If someone challenges your evidence, discuss in the rebuttal why you are right. 

Kenny vs. David

I was really looking forward to this debate because David had spent so much time learning how to judge as a form of training and Kenny has always struck me as a thoughtful, prepared student.  Kenny almost nailed the "slavery is different here than elsewhere" argument.  He is the first to bring up that empires fell because of slavery.  Warn Americans that this is happening now and almost happened in the past with strong examples and the argument is complete.  Both of these gentleman were the first to enter the scientific evidence into the debate which I LOVED.  I was soooooooo waiting for this to happen because it is how we started our course.  I want more of this.... 

Taniyia vs. Sierra

Fun fun fun.  These two ladies have a lot of attitude and it showed today.  Their speeches were sound and Sierra delivered one of the best pro-slavery bible arguments I have ever heard!  It was also great to hear Dred Scott enter into the discussion today.  Taniyia thought on her feet and did a good job to defuse it though by saying that Africans do not have to follow court cases if they do not get the benefit of the law and that Europeans do not have to follow African laws while in Africa.  This argument works (to some extent) because of Africans being forcefully removed out of Africa as opposed to "choosing" to come to America and choosing to follow her laws.  Keep chipping away abolishment side on that one though.  Decorum (how you handle yourself up there) matters.  If you ask a question, let them answer it.  If you but in while the next question is being asked, it might be considered bad decorum.  Controlling with yes/no questions is good, but if your opponent is going to try to explain oneself, let them.   Congratulations to both debaters, you created quite a stir today in class, yet held a critical-thinking debate.