Debate

Since you are all amazing writers, and I respect all of your opinions, I need some help. In American History we are doing debates, where we are put in groups of three for a three round debate on our topic, which is assigned to us. My topic is Driving Age Affirmative, which basically means I should support the people who don't want me to drive when I'm 16.

Anyway, we have to have speeches which we memorize and read to an auditorium of people on our topic. Since I am going first, my speech basically covers the topics we will be going over, and sets the mood for our side.

The speech is still a rough draft, but I wanted to get everyones opinions. Please let me know anything that doesn't make sense, or that maybe needs to change. (Oh, and I thought I'd add: The 'Hello my name is _______ and my issue is Driving Age' is a very boring beginning, but my teacher said that is how they all had to start. )


Hello, my name is _________, and my issue is Driving Age. My partner, _______, and I are on the affirmative side. We believe that the age an individual receives their driver’s license should be raised to 18, because of the many ongoing problems resulting in death and injury that are directly related with the age of our drivers.

Maturity is a huge issue when looking at teen drivers at 16 and 17 years of age. Teenagers at this age show many behavioral problems, including a feeling that they are ‘invincible’, and an inability to make sound decisions in tough situations. Examples of this lack of maturity are shown by teens around us everyday, who talk on cell phones and speed while driving. Studies have shown that teens are more likely than not to exhibit these reckless behaviors if their parents do so, thinking that they are safe doing these because their parents do. In fact, 62% of high school students admit to talking on a cell phone while driving, and 67% admit to speeding. Why do these students demonstrate these harmful activities, when they have been warned since they were small the dangers of reckless driving? Further studies even show that 76% of high school students and 68% of middle school students think that talking on a cell phone while driving is not safe, and 73% of high school students and 67% of middle school students think that speeding is not safe. So, why do they do it? A lack of maturity and common sense is behind it, the driving adolescents not able to make the right decision when faced with unsafe conditions.

Peer pressure is another large factor when examining why the young drivers make so many unsafe decisions on the road. At 16 and 17 years old, peer pressure is still a constant threat. A driving teenager may not have the maturity needed to resist the urge to do what is ‘cool’ to fit in with peers. Speeding, tailgating, and talking on cell phones are all dangerous driving habits that young drivers may be pressured into doing by friends or other peers.

Teens make up only a small 6.9% of drivers, and yet are involved in 14.4% of all highway fatalities. In 2000, 3,594 drivers between the age of 15 and 20 were killed in motor vehicle crashes. 3,594 high school and college students who had families, and friends. 3,594 new drivers, who probably didn’t have enough experience to drive safely enough on a highway, and who paid for it with their lives. Studies by the Highway Safety Department show that 16 year olds crash ten times more than 30-59 year olds do. Ten times more. Think about that. If you have ever had a family member or friend that has been in a car crash, or have been in one yourself, you know how scary it is. By reducing the reckless driving by taking these teens off the road, our highways and streets are that much safer. That many more lives are saved.

Dangerous teen drivers become dangerous adult drivers. If we don’t take the needed precautions to keep our young, immature drivers off the road, we may find ourselves surrounded with immature adult drivers. Now, we need to make a choice. If we work together, we can stop the 40,000 deaths each year because of fatal car accidents.

If I recall, even Johnny Carson said "My name is Johnny Carson" or something like that, at the start of every single show. So although it may seem boring and unimportant to you, just speak like you're proud to be part of the occasion.

The only thing that made me blink was the question you posed that you didn't answer.

If you and your teammate are going to answer the question during the debate, then you might mention that the topic will be addressed.

Maybe I'll think of something else later, but you certainly do have a lot of scary facts. I'm afraid to go out on the highway now.

Peati it was an excellent speech, on a topic that is close to my heart.

You might also like to consider two additional factors.

1) Teens are more likely to be driving old, poorly maintained cars.

2) In tandem with their aura of invincibility, teens have a poorly developed ability to appraise hazards. For example they might concentrate on loose dog padding down the sidewalk on the opposite side of the street as they approach a kids ball game on their own side of the road. Two hazards. Dog is more stupid, so dog is more apt to run into road. Kids are more valuable though.

Thank you guys for the feedback!

Lynet: Thank you, because I didn't see that! I must have gone to lunch or somethieng (American History is a split period), and then come back and not finished my thought.

Mirelly: I will be sure to add both of those, they are really good points. Since it is a three part debate, and I only have one partner, I am going twice. In my second paper, I will make sure to include them.

Lovely speech. It was really interesting -- and scary, as Lynet said. If you don’t read straight from the script when you’re doing your speech, I think this can be really, really good. (What I mean is, you’ll prolly get a bonus point if the speech is well rehearsed.)

The trick is not to fiddle around with the paper while you’re up there doing your speech (by the way, when I say “up there” I mean in front of your class ). I just get more nervous if I bring a single sheet of paper up there with me and I see it shaking slightly. I always take a book or something sturdy with me for the paper to lean on. It makes it so much easier when you glance down quickly at your notes while your talking.

Take two deep breathes before you start, and try to act calm even though your heart is pounding like crazy inside. Smile a little too. It makes you more friendly to look at. The most important thing is to not let anything disturb or distract you in your presentation. Not so much as a loud sneeze, or a cough, or the bored look on the rest of the students. I’m an actress, or used to be, so I know a fair deal about this sort of thing. Maybe that’s why oral presentations always seem to go well for me.

Anyway, not to assume that you don’t know what you are doing, because I know you do. You’re going to rock this whole speech thing. These are just a few pointers to make you less nervous.

. . . few ways to launch the end of a sentence into space.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

I was in debate in high school, and hated debating the side I disagreed with! The important thing is to have a lot of facts, backed up with data, to fall back on.

Sorry I didn't chime in earlier!

Aw, darn, you corrected your post. Now my joke just looks weird.

(See, she forgot to end a sentence and it looked really strange and oh, never mind.)