REFLECTION//Argumentative Essays and Debates

     This unit, we learned about argumentative essays and debates. For argumentative essay, we wrote an argumentative essay about a topic that we chose our self. In an argumentative essay. In an argumentative essay, there should be introduction paragraph which is kind of background information, and end the introduction with a thesis sentence/statement that should include two reasons. There should also be a format in the body paragraph, which is either pro-pro-con or con-con-pro. After writing the body paragraph, we should write the conclusion paragraph, which summarizes the essay and restates the thesis statement in a different way. It's also called paraphrasing the thesis statement. After the conclusion paragraph,you should put a citation list. The citation should use APA format. The reference list should be written on a separate page, not on the same page as the essay. I think that I wrote a good enough thesis statement and conclusion paragraph. The format of the body paragraph was also clear, and I disproved the possible counter argument. However, I think that my thesis statement still needed to be clearer, more straight to the point, shorter, and more specific. My arguments in the body paragraph still wasn't enough, especially the data about the chairs and tables in the cafeteria and number of secondary students.
     In the debate topic, we had to do a debate in a team. My teammates were Aura, Sania, and Thomas. Thomas was the first speaker, followed by Aura, then Sania, and me. I did the rebuttal. Our debate topic was "Will globalization lead to a brighter future?", and we were on the opposition team. The affirmative team consisted of Denisa, Dinda, Phoebe, and Willy. I think what I did well was the preparation and the arguments. The collaboration was good too, since we helped each other write the arguments. However, I'm not good at expressing and talking, especially in public, so I think that didn't go so well. I also talked too long, more than the appropriate time. I had difficulties rebutting, especially because I'm not really good at thinking quickly without research and I'm not good at speaking either.