Why the Affordable Health Care act is beneficial to America

Adapted from Dr. James Bunker’s Debate Assignment
Module 1 Assignment: Health Policy Debate
The module 1 assignment is essentially a pro/con debate with your partner, which you will video record and post
on Brightspace. You will work together on research for the debate, and then you’ll each write a case speech—
either in favor of (pro), or opposed to (con), the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA/Obamacare).
You will then each have the opportunity to respond to your partners pro/con case in a rebuttal.
The resolution for this debate is:
The Affordable Care Act is beneficial for the United States Health Care System
I. Pro/Con Assignments: Whoever’s last name comes first in the alphabet will be pro (in favor of the resolution);
your partner will be con (against the resolution). NOTE: If you have a group of 3, see me, and we’ll discuss how to
coordinate.
II. Research and Preparation: First, you’ll need to identify three main arguments for each position. Then you
should work with your partner on pro/con research to support your arguments. Be sure you’re using reputable
sources. Useful sources might include: Health policy think tanks (Brookings Institution [moderate], Cato Institute
[Libertarian], Economic Policy Institute [liberal], RAND Corporation), foundations (Commonwealth Fund, Kaiser
Family Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation), and non-governmental organizations (American
College of Healthcare Executives, healthcare Leadership Council, National Coalition of Health Care, Healthcare
Financial Management Association). You may also find useful research on the websites of Members of Congress
who have been leaders in the health policy debate. Finally, reputable news sources may offer useful policy
analyses.
You don’t need to do excessive research for a 4-minute case speech, but you should have some supportive evidence
for each of your arguments.
III. Structure of Debate:
• Speech 1: Pro Case (~4 minutes): This is the initial speech setting up the pro case supporting the resolution
(SEE ATTACHED OUTLINE FOR A GOOD CASE SPEECH)
• Speech 2: Con Case (~4 minutes): This is the initial speech setting up the con case supporting the resolution
(SEE ATTACHED OUTLINE FOR A GOOD CASE SPEECH)
• Speech 3: Pro Rebuttal (~2-3 minutes): This shorter speech is the pro response to the con case
• Speech 4: Con Rebuttal (~2-3 minutes): This shorter speech is the con response to the pro case
Logistics:
• WHAT TO TURN IN:
o Your pro or con speech that you presented in your video
o The video of your pro/con debate that you recorded with your partner
• DUE DATE: You can find the due date for this assignment on Brightspace > Assessment > Assignments >
Module 1 Assignment. Please see the note in the syllabus on late assignments. The assignment folder on
Brightspace will close 3 days after the due date; if you haven’t submitted by then, you will receive a 0.
• HOW TO SUBMIT:
o Please submit your written speeches individually on Brightspace > Assessment > Assignments >
Module 1 Debate folder
o Please submit your debate videos (one video per pair—that is, only one person needs to upload it) on
Brightspace > Assessment > Assignments > Module 1 Assignment folder
• LENGTH: Your case speech (pro or con) should be about 4 minutes and your rebuttal should be about 2-3
minutes.
• FORMAT: Please submit the written copy of your speech outline as a PDF or Word doc (including a
references page). The video should be submitted using Brightspace’s My Media function.
Developed by Dr. James Bunker
BASIC SPEECH OUTLINE TEMPLATE
I. INTRODUCTION: Introductions are pivotal because they give the audience a reason to listen.
A. Good Introductions have three parts:
1. Attention Getter: You can lose an audience within thirty seconds if it is not well developed
a. Attention Getting Devices:
i. Story or example (pathos)
ii. Quote (ethos)
iii. Statistic (logos)
iv. Rhetorical Question
v. Humor (Careful high reward & risk)
2. Thesis Statement: A thesis statement is a declarative statement that tells the audience
what you plan to do in your speech.
b. Guidelines for Formatting Thesis:
i. Use a declarative sentence
ii. Should be concise
iii. Must express a single thought
iv. Avoid compound sentences
v. Do not include reasons or main points
3. Roadmap: A roadmap is a preview of the main points that you will make in the speech.
II. BODY: The body of the speech is where you develop main points and support them with evidence. Main points
should (a) grow from thesis; (b) not overlap other points; (c) follow a logical pattern; (d) cover essential ideas of
thesis; and (e) be no fewer than two main points or more than five. You should incorporate different types of
supporting materials into your speech and these can include: (1) examples, (2) stories; (3) quotations; (4)
analogies, (5) contrasts; (6) statistics; (7) explanations; (8) and definitions.
A. Main point one should be a declarative sentence that develops thesis statement
1. State first piece of evidence and source (should have at least one piece of evidence)
2. State second piece of evidence and source (if you have it)
3. State third piece of evidence and source (if you have it)
TRANSITION: Transition sentences should be written word for word and fluidly connect main points
B. Main point two should be declarative, develop thesis, and logically follow point one
1. State first piece of evidence and source (should have at least one piece of evidence)
2. State second piece of evidence and source (if you have it)
3. State third piece of evidence and source (if you have it)
TRANSITION: Transitions can also be used to develop an internal preview of your next point
C. Main point three should be declarative, develop thesis, and logically follow point two
1. State first piece of evidence and source (should have at least one piece of evidence)
2. State second piece of evidence and source (if you have it)
3. State third piece of evidence and give source (if you have it)
TRANSITION: Memorizing transitions prevents students from using “umms” and “likes” between points
III. CONCLUSION: The conclusion is one of the most neglected parts in student speeches.
A. Effective conclusions have three parts
1. Restate thesis statement to remind audience of speech’s central idea
2. Summarize main points to remind the audience of what is important
3. Develop a lasting impact statement that incorporates attention getting devices