Students should be researching for their debates.

Students should be researching for their debates.

Where do you get support for your position in the ant debate?
1. Examine each statement from the story.
    - Examine the arguments each character gives.
    - Research the truthfulness of each statement.

2. Research ants, specifically, the type of ant in the story.
    - There are good, helpful ants in Nature.
    - There are also some deadly ants.
    - Can a case be made that some types of ants deserve to die?

3. Research each character's motivation.
    - Why does the boy feel he must squish the ant?
    - Why is the ant arguing with the boy?

4. Research both sides of the debate.
    - I said in class that weak supports will actually give points to the opponent.
    - Be ready for the arguments your opponent will make.  Have supports ready!
   
(You get a point for repeating the point the opponent made.  Then you get points for rebutting the point.  "My opponent said this ... . *point earned* He is wrong because ... *point earned* and ... *point earned * and ... *point earned*."  So weak arguments cause you to loose points!)