Copy of "The Great Debater" - debate tactics

The young lady is ____ African-American student admission into state universities.

• FOR

• AGAINST

What do you notice about the way the debater speaks at the beginning?

• She speaks quickly to show the urgency of her position.

• She speaks slowly and uses pauses to emphasize her position.

How does the speaker avoid a hasty generalization that there are many prestigious African-Americans?

• -refers to a reliable source (ethos appeal)

• -list a timeline of several well-accomplished African Americans (ethos appeal)

• -asks a rhetorical question (logos appeal)

How does the opposing speaker back up his point that African-Americans are not ready for college?

• -refers to a credible, African-American scholar (ethos appeal)

• -provides an anecdote of an African-American who was miserable in college (pathos appeal).

• -provides statistics of how many African-Americans drop out (logos appeal)

Which rhetorical device does he use in his counter- argument?

• logos- he lists African American people who are unhappy with their education in a white school

• pathos- he brings up a point of African Americans being unhappy in a white school and therefore, the education would be affected

• ethos- he quotes African American scholars of white schools and how they feel about their education

Which rhetorical appeal does the speaker use to prove her point about unequal education?

• ethos- She quotes white and African American student's thoughts on their education

• logos- She gives data from the state on how much money is spent on education for white students vs African American students

• pathos- She tells her listeners they will not be heard

How does the speaker use her voice at the end?

• She remains calm in order to make her final point.

• She slows down to emphasize her main points.

• She shows emotion in her voice in order to close her arguments and have a greater impact on her audience.