Flint Sit-Down Strike - Debate Forum: Final Assessment

The final assessment can be performed as a verbal debate, written as an argumentative essay, or a MEAP practice test question.


Taking A Stand:

You will now take a stand on the following historic event involving a public policy issue:

Debate Issue: "Should Governor Murphy have instructed the National Guard to remove the sit-down strikers from General Motors property?"

• You may either support or oppose the position of removing the strikers from the plant.
• Position Statement: A typical approach to beginning this sort of "debate" question is:
  My position is that &&&&&..
  Support for position: I am taking this position because the facts show that &&&&&.
• Core Democratic Values: Use of one or more Core Democratic Values, or constitutional rights and liberties is necessary to receive full credit for the answer. Personal property rights, equal protection under the law, common good, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are all constitutional rights that could be used to defend points of view on this debate topic.
• Evidence from supplied data: The activities provide ample factual data and historic perspectives that can be used to defend either a positive or negative argument. The debater must use at least two pieces of evidence to support the argument.

You will be graded on the following criteria, so be sure your statement includes each of the elements listed below:

• A clear and supported statement of your position
• Supporting information using a core democratic value of American constitutional democracy
• Supporting knowledge from history, geography, civics, or economics that you already know
  (It is not enough to state only your opinion)
• Supporting information from the Flint Strike Archive available from you teacher

Remember to:

• Use complete sentences.
• Explain your reasons in detail.
• Explain how the core democratic value you use connects to your position.
• Write or print neatly.

Evidence from supplied data: The activities provide ample factual data and historic perspectives that can be used to defend either a positive or negative argument. The debater must use at least two pieces of evidence to support the argument.