Tournament Reflection Assignment

During each semester of the debateclass, you must complete two tournament reflection assignments. The purpose of this assignment is to strengthen our debate cases and speech performances, and learn from the opposing schools we face at tournaments.Each reflection will be worth 75 points.

General Requirements

  • This assignment is due no later than thelast week of the semester. If it is not turned in on time, you will receive no credit for attending the tournament.
  • This assignment must be legible and in complete sentences. You must answer the two reflection sections of your event and the general reflection questions. A SENTENCE EACH WILL NOT BE ENOUGH! THIS IS A REFELCTION – IT ONLY HELPS IF YOU ARE HONEST AND PUT IN THE EFFORT.
  • At the top of the assignment, make sure your name, the tournament name, and your event is clearly seen.
  • If you competed in more than one event at the tournament, you only need to complete a reflection for one of the events (preferably the event where you feel you could use the most improvement).

CX, PF, LD, and Congress Specific Reflection.You must complete both.

Contention Re-Write: Look through your flows and your ballots and identify the weakest contention in your case or proponent speech. Rewrite this contention to improve the evidence, fix flaws in logic, and generally eliminate the problems you experienced with that contention when you argued it against opponents. You must include the original contention and the revised contention in your assignment (please label them “original” and “revised” so I can tell the difference).25 points

Rebuttal Re-Do: Look through your flows and ballots and choose ONE rebuttal speech that you could have done better. Using your flow, write out what you said in your speech (what arguments did you make against their case, and what did you say to uphold you own?). Then, rewrite your speech, using the arguments or evidence that you wish you had thought of during the round. For Congress, rewrite you aff/neg speech on someone else’s legislation (or if you didn’t speak, write a speech you SHOULD have given).25 points

IE Specific Reflection.You must complete the first one listed and then choose one of the others based on your event area.

Speech Re-Write/Cutting review: Read over your (extemp, oratory) outlines and ballots and identify the weakest point in your speech. Improve or add to the evidence you used, clarify you explanations, fix flaws in logic, and generally strengthen the point. In the assignment, type up what you said (if you can’t remember everything, just put the main points) and label this “Original Points.” Then type up your new and improved points and label them “Revised Points.”

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Look over your (Prose, Poetry, HI/DI, Storytelling, etc.) cuttings and ballots and identify the weakest points in your performance pieces. Improve or add transitions or take out sections that will help solidify your narrative. Fix flaws or choppy sections that hinder the story from being fluid. For each section you update label your tournament used section as “Original Cutting” and then put your new/improved section as “Revised Cutting.”25 points

Extemp Research (Only if you competed in the Extemp event): Find five articles we should have had in our files. Print them out and label them with the source, author, and date of publication. File them away in the box and submit a brief annotation of the title, author, source, date of publication, and summary of what the article is about to me for credit for this assignment. Please use this time to find important, high-quality articles!25 points

Delivery Brush-Up (Only if you competed in an Interp. Event): Review your ballots and find judge comments on your delivery (body movement, gestures, eye contact, volume, pronunciation, pace, tone, etc.). In your first paragraph, briefly explain what your judges said about your speech delivery. In another paragraph, explain what you can do to improve this aspect of your delivery. Give another performance/speech to a parent, sibling, friend, or classmate. Before the speech, tell them what aspects of your delivery you need to focus on. Give this speech specifically trying to work on these issues. Ask your new “judge” for feedback and write it at the end of your assignment.25 points

GeneralReflection Questions.You must answer each question to receive full points on this section. A single sentence will not work for answering these questions.

1. Which event(s) did you observe in out rounds and what did you learn about the events? Be specific and detailed. 5 points

2. What are you going to change in your preparation for the next competition? Be specific with your plan. 10 points

3. What two comments on your ballots did you disagree with and what two comments did you agree with? Why? 10 points