You are welcome to your opinion. Now support it.

Currently debating in class: that in the United States, plastic bags should be banned from grocery stores; that organ donation should be compulsory for all United States citizens; that the legal drinking age of alcohol ought to be lowered to 18 years of age in the United States; that letter grades in high schools do more harm than good; that Wal-Mart is good for America; that operating a cell phone while driving should be made a criminal offense; that the United States Federal government ought to ban the creation and importation of genetically modified organism (GMOs)

Recently debated issues: that in the United States health care ought to be a right; that mandatory drug testing for all participants in extra-curricular activities is justified in US public schools; that in US high schools, a period of public service ought to be a condition of graduation; that the United States has the moral obligation to mitigate international conflicts;

Here are some helpful resources to begin your research.

Opposing Viewpoints (login: anoka) An excellent database of current issue articles which seeks to explore the varying opinions in a balanced pros/cons debate. The series attempts to encourage critical thinking and issue awareness by providing opposing views on contentious issues
Academic Search Premier (login: anoka - password: anokaremote) Part of EbscoHost, it is a search system and interface accessible via private and public databases in libraries and schools. It is an umbrella for other databases which provide full text searches and abstracts of magazines, newspapers and reference books in a variety of subject areas, updated on a daily basis.
Anoka Hennepin E-Resources Homepage - A list of searchable databases available through Anoka Hennepin Schools.
GPO Access - Connect to Databases Online via GPO Access, a complete searchable, printable text of Congressional Record, Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, bills, laws and over 50 other basic government sources from the past few years.
ProCon.org - is an independent, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity that works to promote critical thinking, education, and informed citizenship. Tjeir sites present controversial issues in a straightforward, nonpartisan, primarily pro-con format.

Be sure to evaluate each web site

Web sites vary in quality. It is important that you assess each Web site you find and consider using. Evaluate them in the same way you would a paper resource. Remember to evaluate Web resources critically. Use the following criteria:

• Authority: Can the author of the page be readily identified and are his/her qualifications for providing the page clearly stated?
• Accuracy: Are there any spelling errors? Is the source of factual information clearly documented?
• Objectivity: Is the information relatively balanced or does it promote a particular viewpoint?
• Currency: When was the page written or last updated?
• Coverage: Is the topic explored in depth? Is there considerable content on the page? Are entire articles or items provided or just excerpts from larger works? Does the site point you to other sites?

 

 

Remember for all debate handouts, go to theDownloads page.

Obviously, debate does not exist soley in my classroom. Here are some great debates, discussions, and op-ed pieces concering issues we will be covering the classroom throughout the quarter.

Intelligence Squared 
One excellent source for debate is NPR's Intelligence Squared podcast. Intelligence Squared U.S. brings Oxford-style debating to America-- one motion, one moderator, three panelists for the motion and three against. Past topics have included religion in America, Hamas, and Hollywood. 

This is also the resource we will be using if you happen to miss a debate in class. For a copy of the instructions click here or go to the downloads page where you can find all sorts of handouts.