Drugs Without Incarceration
Resolution:
Individuals should have the right to determine which drugs they wish to consume without the threat of incarceration.
| Pro | Con |
| Sienna | Angelee |
| Sophia | Eshana |
My Debate Reflection
Through the debating unit I realized I learn best by watching other debates and picking up strategies from those to help me improve. By doing this, it helped me learn and gain more strengths. I also tend to work better in a quiet environment and discussing certain debate strategies with my partner. This helped us work through the debate preparation smoothly and led us to win our debate. Although, something that I could have worked on is to speak confidently and could’ve practiced presenting my debate in front of someone to improve in that area. Throughout this debate I learnt that communicating is a big step to success to win a debate. When I was having difficulty with something in the debating unit, I usually asked my parents to debate against me to help me improve and look for possible outcomes that could happen during the actual debate. I also would ask my teacher to review my finalized work the morning of the debate, this helped me make some changes and/or add things to my debate. I also found that asking Chatgbt for counterarguments to help with my rebuttals and the debate itself was very helpful. I’m most proud of accomplishing and winning my debates, I really enjoyed debating and it helped me figure out what I may want to do for post secondary.
The Best Resource I Found
Economics of Legalizing Drugs | Office of Justice Programs (ojp.gov)
I chose this link because it provides a lot of information that helped me throughout the debate. It helped support my arguments, especially during cross questioning. It also helped me learn more about the debate topic itself. I will most definitely be using this resource in the future.
My Favorite Quote
“The purpose of debates is to explore issues, not to end them” – David Gemmell
This is my favorite quote about debating because it’s true. Instead of ending the debate with the last say, we should further explore, learn and perhaps resolve issues. At the end of my debate it really unfolded how it was just done, when I wanted to say more. Which also ties to what I am saying now. I feel like I can say more and actually make a change by speaking up or even better by debating.
Works Cited
Core Competency Reflection
Communication:
My strategies for collecting relevant information when I researched for my debate includes using Chatgbt to help provide me and my partner with counterarguments to rebuttal. We researched under each one of those counterarguments and used it to also help with our speeches. I also asked my parents what I could possibly add and asked them to debate with me to find any counterarguments within the debate between my parent and I.
Collaboration:
One of the ways I ensure my partner and I are clear on the common purpose is to share a document with each other and write up any information, links and our speeches under one. This helped understand which points and arguments each of us would do and to not use the same argument in each of our speeches. By doing this we also helped each other improve on our speeches. We also both worked on debates and discussed which ones we would use during the actual debate.
Critical and Reflective Thinking:
I remain open minded as I explored my topic and how I would develop my argument as evidenced by how much research my speech and my rebuttals had. Researching helped improve my debate a lot, as well as helped me be more clear on what I say during the speech. For example, during cross questioning I was able to back up my question or response with my research and somewhat rebuttal what they had said or questioned me on.
Creative Thinking:
When it seems the good ideas just won’t come to me, I listen to music, take a break or re-read my whole debate to help calm myself or create space in my mind to think about what I can do or add. When I listen to certain music, it helps me stay calm and leads me to have a focused mind when doing work such as my debate. If I take a break I can take a breather, maybe a glass of water just to gather myself up again which then leads me right back on track to getting those good ideas for my debate. If I re-read my debate, I can stay calm and focused. By doing this I can add or change things to my debate.
