Debate Rubric

Name: Date: Period: Subject of Debate: Pro or Con (Circle One) Which Side Won:

Critria
Appearance of Team (Professionally dressed.) Opening statements were well organized. Team members addressed remarks to the audience. Opening statements were not read from cards. Both team members participated equally in opening statement. Students spoke loud enough to be heard. Rebuttal was specific to arguments made in the opposing teams opening statement. Both team members participated equally in the rebuttal. Answers to audience questions were well thought out. Respect was shown throughout the debate for the opposing team. (No name calling, interruptions, etc.)

Rate 1-10

Comments

Points Earned: ___________________________________________/100 Points

A Difficult Conversation Checklist

Source: Difficult Conversations, by Stone, Patton, and Heen; p232-233

Step 1: Prepare by Walking Through the Three Conversations

1. Sort out What happened Where does your story come from (information, past experiences, rules)? Theirs? What impact has this situation had on you? What might their intentions have been 2. Understand Emotions Explore your emotional footprint, and the bundle of emotions you experience 3. Ground Your Identity Whats at stake for you about you? What do you need to accept to be better grounded? Step 2: Check your purposes and Decide Whether to Raise the Issue Purposes: What do you hope to accomplish by having this conversation? Shift your stance to support learning, sharing, and problem-solving.Deciding: Is this the best way to address the issue and achieve your purposes? Is the issue really embedded in your Identity Conversation? Can you affect the problem by changing your contributions? If you dont raise it, what can you do to help yourself let go? Step 3: Start from the Third Story 1. Describe the problem as the difference between your stories. Include both viewpoints as a legitimate part of the discussion. 2. Share your purposes. 3. Invite them to join you as a partner in sorting out the situation together. Step 4: Explore Their Story and Yours Listen to understand their perspective on what happened. Ask questions. Acknowledge the feelings behind the arguments and accusations. Paraphrase to see if youve got it. Try to unravel how the two of you got to this place. Share your own viewpoint, your past experiences, intentions, feelings. Reframe, reframe, reframe to keep on track. [cf. page 204] From truth to perceptions From accusations to Intentions and impact From blame to contribution From Judgments, Characterizations to feelings From Whats wrong with you to Whats going on for them Step 5: Problem-Solving

Invent options that meet each sides most important concerns and interests. Look to standards for what should happen. Keep in mind the standard of mutual caretaking; relationships that always go one way rarely last. Talk about how to keep communication open as you go forward

10-Step Conversation Checklist to Win Friends

By: Joshua Uebergang
Common convention considers conversation is an art form, that its practice is free form, good conversation, it is said, flows. That doesn't mean, however, that we can't break this art form down to its constituent bits, and make it easy on ourselves. Consider this a checklist to run down in your preparation. These are the most crucial conversation skills to master. #1 -- PREPARATION You need to have an idea about what you want or need to say in most given situations, and while this may seem difficult, given the fluid, impromptu nature of most conversation, remember it pays to think ahead. Brush up on current events and topics that the people you anticipate conversing with may be interested in. #2 -- CONFIDENCE Confidence is elementary, but it is absolutely crucial. Believe in yourself, and in what you want to say, and make it show. You accomplish this through body language, through a clear, strong voice, and through eye contact. #3 -- LISTENING Listen to your partner, don't just hear - an important thought difficult part of the conversation checklist to keep in mind. Pay attention, absorb what they say, and respond intelligently to their end of the conversation. Active listening is an excellent method to use to stay focused and assure your conversation partner that you are engaged. #4 -- OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS Use open-ended questions to keep momentum, and the conversation, rolling along. Nothing kills a conversation more quickly than a flat, dry statement of fact or a question that requires only a oneword answer. #5 -- EYE CONTACT This is crucial. Maintain eye contact. Don't let your eyes, and with them your interest, wander, or your conversation will soon come to a halt. #6 -- BODY LANGUAGE, THEIRS and YOURS Remember your posture and stance say a lot more to your partner than your words ever could, so be conscious. Stand with an open, inviting stance and a firm posture, and never converse with your arms crossed. Also, make note of your partner's body language. A closed stance my indicate that they are not interested in conversing with you. #7 -- TOPICS Be well-versed in the topics you anticipate discussing. If you can't tick this off in the checklist, be curious with an open-mind. #8 -- DON'T FORCE IT Sometimes, despite your best efforts, a conversation just isn't going well. If it's stumbling, do not force it. Nothing makes a worse impression than stringing along a fruitless conversation. #9 -- CONVERSE, DON'T DEBATE Save the debates for Internet chat rooms. It is difficult to foster verbal give-and-take when one intends to verbally combat the other. #10 KNOW WHEN IT'S OVER Don't be afraid to walk away when the conversation's clearly over. Be pleasant and leave cordially with the full confidence of knowing that your mission is accomplished. Consider the following an essential 10-point checklist to run down in your preparation for any conversation. Read on for the most crucial conversation skills to master.