With your partner, you must decide to research one of the following controversial issues:  

• Driving Age--Should the driving age stay the same or should it be raised?
• School Uniforms--Are school uniforms necessary? 
• Television's Influence on Children--Does television positively or negatively impact children?  
• Video/Comuter Games Influence on Children - Do Video/Computer games positively or negatively impact children?

Once you have identified an issue, follow the steps below to complete the activity.

Reader/Note Taker

1. Print out the graphic organizer which will be completed while reading.  While you and your partner may read the articles together, each person must complete the graphic organizer.  You will include the article title, identify the position, provide at least 2 arguments, and identify if the argument is fact or opinion.  This information in your graphic organizer should be in complete, detailed sentences. 
   Article Graphic Organizer
   
2. Read at least three of the articles pertaining to your issue.  You may print the articles if it will assist you in your reading.

          Driving Age

• Teen Driver Safety Series
• States Alter Driving Laws
• Raising Minimum Driving Age
• Driving Age Should It be Raised
• Driving Age Should Be Raised to 18

School Uniforms

• Arguments about Uniforms
• School Uniforms: The Raging Debate
• School Uniforms--New York City
• School Uniforms and Dress Codes

   Television's Influence on Children

• How TV Affects Your Child
• Children and TV Violence
• Children and Watching TV
• How Television Viewing Affects Children
• Television and Children

Video Games Influence on Children

• Effects of Video Games on Children
• Video Game Designed not to Influence
• Game Influence Debated
• Impact of Video and Computer Games
• Choosing Good Computer and Video Games

Speech Writer

• After reading the articles and completing the graphic organizer, you and your partner must decide which side of the issue you wish to defend:  will your position be for or against?  Each person must take a side; if you cannot willingly agree, flip a coin!!  Once the positions are decided, you will complete the next step on your own.
  
• Print the following graphic organizer which will allow you to develop the body of your persuasive speech.  You must construct your position.  Utilizing the readings and your completed article graphic organizer, develop three arguments to defend your position.  Under each argument, use different types of evidence or explanation to support your arguments.  Paraphrase and summarize the information from the articles and use your own ideas as well.  DO NOT COPY THE IDEAS OF ANOTHER PERSON.  The information in your graphic organizer should be in complete sentences.  This will become the body of your persuasive speech and will need to be detailed and strong in order to convince the judge of your position.  
  Argument Graphic Organizer 
  
• After you have completed the argument graphic organizer, you need to write an effective introduction and conclusion for your persuasive speech.  In order to convince the judge of your position, you must create a powerful beginning and ending as this is your first and last impression.
  
• Transfer the introduction, the body (your arguments and evidence), and the conclusion to notecards.  You may write in complete sentences or in phrases; you may have your speech written word for word or in outline format.   Remember to use persuasive language to convince the judge of your position; highlight your persuasive word choices on your notecards.

Presenter

• Practice your speech with your partner.  Remember to utilize good eye contact and a strong speaking voice and to use your notecards only for reference.  You want to demonstrate your passion and emotion in order to convince the judge of your position.
  
• You will be matched with another partner group with a different issue.  Both you and your partner will present your speeches while the other partner group acts as the judge (see below).   The other partner group will then present their speeches while you and your partner act as the judge (see below).

Judge

1. Print the following graphic organizer which will allow you to judge the persuasive speeches of another partner group.  Remember that as the judge you can only truly be swayed by the information given as arguments that are based in fact.  While you may agree with the opinions given, you need to look for the facts to be convinced.  You will also make comments about the success of the presenters' eye contact and speaking voice.  
   Judge Graphic Organizer
   
2. After both groups have been judged, meet as a group of four and discuss your observations about the issues, the positions, the arguments, and the evidence offered.  On the back of your judge graphic organizer, address the following:

• describe your successes in this activity,
• comment upon the difficulties you encountered,
• explain what you learned (consider the process and your issue),
• identify one thing you would do differently.