FINAL EXAM

The Final Exam

In the final exam, you will give a speech, and respond to questions from two questioners.  The grade will be based on both the speech, the way you handle questions, and the questions you ask as questioner. 

The Speech.  Please prepare a 5 minute persuasive speech on a current events topic—you may NOT use a topic based on any of this year’s PF topics, nor a Congress speech you’ve delivered.  The Speech should be written out in its entirety—think 800-1000 words as a target.  You should cite sources appropriately, supporting your points.  The speech should contain a minimum of three cards. 

When the speech is completed, two members of the class will have 2 minutes to ask questions about the topic.  The questions are a chance for the questioners to weaken your argument and your chance to strengthen it by developing more full answers.

The Questions.  You will be assigned to question one or two people.  You will be given a copy of the speech (at GoogleDocs) per the timeline below.  Your questions should be designed to find holes/problems/issues with the argument.

Timeline

Thursday, 2 June 2011 -- Topic Selected

Friday, 10 June 2011 -- Draft of speech shared at GoogleDocs

Wednesday, 15 June 2011 -- Final draft of speech shared at GoogleDocs

Saturday, 18 June 2011 -- E Block Questioners appointed and speeches shared

Sunday, 19 June 2011 -- C Block Questioners appointed and speeches shared

Monday, 20 June 2011 -- A Block Questioners appointed and speeches shared

Therefore, the only thing you will have to prepare for the Final itself is your questioning.