Evangelical Christian Academy

Evangelical Christian Academy

Instructional Guide: Course Outline

Department: Language Arts
Course Title: Rhetoric
Course Length: 2 semesters
*Indicates essential / Unit #6a: Argument Builder: Chapters 25, p. 162- 170: Review Common Topics and Debate
Unit Length: 8-10 weeks
Lincoln Douglas Debate; Tournament first week in April (depending on number of students, Friday preferably
Instructional Objectives:

*Debate a Lincoln Douglas value resolution as announced by NFL, such as Resolved:The American media works against the best interests of the American public. (Resolutions are announced on the 1st of each month at
*Using Aristotle’s Goods List and a philosopher, craft cases for both sides, analyze why value selected is a greater value. For both affirmative and negative cases, avoid logical fallacies
*Build an Evidence Book containing evidence (statistics, studies and arguments supporting and negating the resolution) using the proper evidence .
*Understand the roles of each position in the debate process and develop a strategy to win the debate
*Practice in-class debate for both sides; learn how to flow and decide a winner
*Debate in ECA Tournament – counts as final exam; required.

Instructional Resources:
NFL Lincoln Douglas Debate DVD (ECA Teacher Resource)
Google Lincoln Douglas for additional resources
Nflonline.org for topics
Foundation Briefs, archives, for research on past resolutions (free) or google Victory Briefs
CHSAA Speech & Debate Handbook –Tournament edition (not Festival) – for format and guidelines
Biblical Integration: (Change description) Jesus debated the Pharisees and teachers of the law from time to time. ) They were constantly trying to discredit him to prove that He was not who He said He was. See Matthew 12: 1-8 on the topic of the Sabbath, Matthew 15: 1-20 on the topic of the clean and the unclean, Matthew 16: 1-4 for a demand for a sign, Matthew 19: 1-11 on divorce, Matthew 21: 23-27 on the question of His authority, Matthew 22: 15-22 on paying taxes to Caesar, and Matthew 22: 23-33 in response to the Sadducees on marriage at the resurrection. In all these instances the people were amazed at his command of the law. We, too, are called to let our conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that we may know how to answer everyone. (Colossians 4:6)
Assessments:

Class participation and discussion
Inspection of Evidence Book
Daily assignments and worksheets (flows)
Debate Case Essays
Final test on concepts learned in Argument Builder

Student Activities:

Debate matches

Enriching Activities :

Observe NFL Lincoln Douglas debate on DVD

Rhetoric, Course Outline, Unit #6aPage 1 of 2

Revised 12-10-2014 lms