All of the television camera shots in the three Ford/Carter presidential debates were studied according to type, frequency, and duration to determine whether the images presented by the camera could have influenced the audience's perception of the candidates. According to the debate rules, each candidate was allowed three minutes to answer a…

This issue of the "Free Speech Yearbook" contains the following: "Between Rhetoric and Disloyalty: Free Speech Standards for the Sunshire Soldier" by Richard A. Parker; "William A. Rehnquist: Ideologist on the Bench" by Peter E. Kane; "The First Amendment's Weakest Link: Government Regulation of Controversial…

Developed for a high school quinmester unit on discussion and debate, this guide is designed to help students learn the elements of good discussion and informal debate in a classroom atmosphere emphasizing the democratic process. Performance objective for the course include compiling information for classroom discussions and informal debates,…

The focus on this two-part document is the background information illuminating the underlying issues of the 1974-75 National High School Debate Resolutions. Within the general category of the problems of political reform, the specific problem area is stated as "How can the federal political system best be improved?" The three debate…

Little empirical research has been done on the subject of argumentation, especially in the area of refutation, or "disproof," even though some research on debate indicates that refutation constitutes a significant predictor of a team's success. A recent study investigated the effects of eight forms of refutation against five major categories of…

Variations in scoring and feedback provided by professional and nonprofessional debate judges were studied using 197 ballots from the six preliminary rounds of the Big Sky Intercollegiate Forensic Tournament in 1971. Results indicated no significant difference in the sides (affirmative or negative) awarded the decision by the two groups of judges.…

Concludes that eye-contact behavior is a key ingredient to an evaluation of the televised 1976 Presidential Debates between Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford. (GW)

In mock interviews with Mark Twain, Oscar Wilde, Plato, and George Santayana, the value of the arts in education is discussed. The author suggests this mock interview technique as a method for teaching other topics. (KC)

Presents an annotated bibliography of 65 items appearing in 1974 in seven areas: history and practice of argumentation, theory of argumentation, scholastic forensics, experimental studies; interpersonal conflicts, political campaign communication, and articles of general interest. (JMF)

Presents a hypothetical debate between an Arab and an Israeli concerning the Arab-Israeli conflict. Topics discussed include war, atrocities by Arabs and Israelis, refugees, western influence in the Middle East, and prospects for peace. The article concludes with questions and activities based on the debate. (Author/DB)

Focusing on the ethical quality of political rhetoric, maintains that Reagan's efforts to justify the invasion and occupation of Grenada must be evaluated by democracy's need for free and open debate. Argues that Reagan's rhetoric violated these ethical standards numerous times by distorting and/or misrepresenting relevant evidence and arguments.…

A two-hat debate technique is described in which one author wore a straw hat and spoke in favor of the American system, then donned a beret and argued for the French party system. The technique has been used to examine political issues, government policies, institutions of different nations, etc. (MLW)

Based on the July, 1942 raid by 5000 Canadian troops on the French port of Dieppe, this article provides detailed instruction on how to involve students in resolving conflicting points of view. Includes a chart for observing student behavior in discussion groups and a list of rules for managing controversy. (JDH)

Describes a classroom project in which 7-year-olds debated the controversial issue of the building of a new road to their town. Data collection and interviews culminated in a "public inquiry." Purposes included developing moral values, promoting decision-making skills, and developing autonomy. (Author/CH)

Describes how the talk of legislative policy makers in public forums builds a system of justification for their actions. Uses observations from a case study of the Utah State Legislature and develops a sociopragmatic perspective of argument fields. (PD)