For debate and for persuasive speaking and writing, three important terms to know are claim, warrant and impact.
A claim is your position or argument. For instance, your answer to the following question:
Should American citizens be allowed to own firearms?
Your claim might be: "No, I don't think Americans should own firearms" or "I support the right of American citizens to own firearms."
A warrant is a reason or piece of evidence that supports your claim. For instance, your warrant might be "Americans should not be allowed to own firearms because each year, firearms cause thousands of deaths in America" or "Americans should be allowed to own weapons so that they can protect themselves — what if someone wants to break into your house?"
Impact is something that good that will happen if people listen to you or something bad that will happen if they don't. For instance, your impact might be: "If Americans weren't allowed to have guns, there wouldn't be as many murders in the United States" or "If Americans can't own guns, there will be a crime wave in American because people won't be able to protect themselves."
Click to listen to Lovie's speech on this subject. See if you can write down her claim, warrant and impact.
Claim-warrant-impact
Why I debate: Bane
Bane Toure is a member of the class of 2013. She's placed in the top 10 individually and as a team the past two years.
Why I debate: Timothy
Timothy, who is going into 8th grade, has placed in the top 10 overall in the New York Urban Debate League the past 2 years.
Debaters honored at end of the year banquet
FDA's middle school debaters were honored at the New York Urban Debate League's annual end-of-the-year banquet on Saturday, June 13 at International High School in Brooklyn. Two of FDA's 6 teams ranked in the top 20 for the season: Aminatou Wouliyou and Bane Toure took 16th place, and Timothy Pamias and Bane Toure took 6th place. This is the second year in a row Pamias and Toure have placed in the top 10 overall.
2009-2010 NYUDL resolve
Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase social services for persons living in poverty in the United States.
Go to NCPA's Debate Central page for more info and links to evidence.
The National Debate Coaches Association has the Open Evidence Project.
FDA has lots of great debaters. You should be one!
We're looking for new recruits to join our award-winning debate team for the 2009-2010 school year. Click on the video below to hear from some of the FDA team why debate is a great activity.
If you're interested, come to a meeting in room 149 after school on Tuesday, June 2 or talk to Mr. Enders or Mr. Harrison.
Debate is an excellent way to:
-improve your speaking, research and thinking skills
-make new friends
-compete with students your age from other schools
-learn about real world problems and propose your own solutions
-get college scholarships
-get ELA extra credit
To read more about FDA's debate team, click on the "Debate" link on the right side of the page.