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 cases and performances and to 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 the second tolast 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. I reserve the right to refuse a sloppy, incomplete, and unsatisfactory paper.
  • You must answer the two reflection sections for 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 flow(s) 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 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 flow(s) 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 the opponent’s 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. This should also include cited evidence and believable reasoning. For Congress, rewrite youraff/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 outline or oratory script and look at your ballots to identify the weakestpoint in your speech. Improve/add to the evidence you used, clarify yourexplanations, fix flaws in logic, and strengthen the point. In the assignment, type up what you said 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 to identify the weakest points in your performance. Improve/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.” Simply putting or changing a single word does not constitute “fixing” the section. 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 the judge’s 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 delivery. In the second paragraph, explain in detail what you can do to improve this aspect of your delivery. This should be a feasible plan with time frames and reasonable checks. Give another performance to an adult while specifically trying to work on these issues. Ask your new “judge” for feedback using a MSHSAA form and attach it at the end of your assignment. Copies of all MSHSAA ballots are free on their website or ask Mr. Davis for a copy. Do not let your new “judge” just put symbols or one word phrases. This should be something to help you improve and picking the wrong judge will hinder you.25 points

General Reflection 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