This year has been my third year in PLP. Since grade nine, we have had exhibits displaying some of our work and learning from that part of the year. This end of year exhibit was my fifth exhibit while in PLP, and was vastly different from all of my previous ones. In previous years, we have shown blue sky projects and a walk throug World War I expirience.
This year, our exhibit consisted of a battle dome style debate showdown.
Our class was divided into groups of three, and one group of four, early in the month. My group consisted of Chloe and Luciano. The preparation for these debates consisted of us studying seven different terms, and investigating the deeper meaning of these terms. Learn more about the terms we studied, and how we went about studying them here.
The layout of this debate was different than most would expect, and somewhat intimidating. Of the seven concepts, the two groups facing each other was to be given a: “be it resolved that…” based on one of the seven concepts. The topic that we were debating would also only be given to us one minute before the debate, and in that one minute each group was required to prepare their arguments whilst in front of a crowd of parents, teachers, students, judges, and other community members. When our class was informed that this would be the layout of the debates, a sense of panic could immodestly be felt. No one understood how it would be possible that our debate topics would only be given to us one minute before we started debating. Our teachers attempted to suppress our nerves by telling us that the weeks leading up to the debate will be spent learning, investigating, and focusing on possible topics.
Our group decided that we would prepare for this debate by completely filling out the seven concept charts given to us. These charts were filled out with examples and references that we could use during the debate, for both the pro and con side of an argument. We strongly beloved that these concept charts could be used during the preparation minute before the debate to strengthen our arguments. Filling out these concept charts assisted in our general understanding of the topics. Below are our seven concept charts completely filled out.
On the day of the debate, our group was up Second to the stand. The topic was given to use, while the nerves were at a very high level. The first topic our group debated was the pro side of: “Be it resolved that power and authority only come to those who are ruthless”. In the one minute we had to prepare, my group worked rapidly at examining our material and building an argument, and I prepared an opening statement. The debate was six minutes in total, yet it felt like it was only one. I was writing my points on my iPad that I was planning to bring up, and listening to the opposing groups points at the same time. Through our groups equal speaking, real world examples, text examples, and strong presentation of evidence, we won the first round of the debates. Here is the exact words I wrote down during the debate.
Be it resolved that power and authority only comes to those who are ruthless
This is very present in the novel we have recently read lord of the Flies.
Harshly abuses this power, and this only gives him more power.
Jack uses this compassion and love that you speak of, but it clearly did not work. All th enjoys left his power
Is it really power if nobody listens to you? Didn’t you notice that the boys were following jacks ideals from the very beginning.
Ralph did not have power and authority in the beginning. Power and authority can only be achieved through ruthlessness. Throughout history, all great leaders had underlying senses of ruthlessness, or else they were not leaders from the start.
We had won the preliminary round of the debates, and it was time to move to the semi finals. After the first debate, our group had calmed down and lost a bit of nerves. It was time for our second debate, and our topic was: “Be it resolved that you need to be savage to survive”. We were assigned the pro sign of this argument, and it almost immediately stumped me. I wrote the most powerful opening statement to my ability, yet the opposing team continued to stump us with examples. I was using examples from Lord of the Flies, and real life examples from the New Orleans hurricane. I believe our Great did a great job defending our topic, yet the opposing team had very well constructed points that connected well. We unfortunately lost in the semi finals, yet it was a close round. Here are the exact notes I wrote during this debate.
Pro
Be it resolved that in order to survive you must be savage
Savagery is not just related to hunting animals and being primal, but it is being ruthless and powerful. Two key quality that will help you survive in this cruel world.
The only boys in lord of the Flies that died were the ones that did not become savage.
My final thoughts on the debate are very positive. I thought it was a great learning experience, and a good way to develop my public speaking skills. The preparation for the debates where well executed and developed by our teachers. If I could have done anything differently, I would have liked our team to have practiced debating more than focusing on the charts. If we had spent more time debating in our groups of three, we would have improved our abilities in quick thinking and argument structures.
