Glenthorne Debates in the Library!
This week we had our first ever live debate in the Library.
Earlier in the year a Year 11 Student Library Assistant approached me about the idea and together we came up with the topic: "Teens Are Accurately Represented in YA Literature".
Proposition and Opposition sides were chosen and the teams rehearsed once a week for a month to prepare.
Students were allowed to come and watch as long as they had a questions prepared to ask from the floor when the time was right.
The debate was live-Tweeted using #ghsdebates so others could keep track and join in if they wanted.
It was a very lively afternoon with lots of great points made by both sides.
The Proposition felt that there are so many YA titles available that teens would be hard pressed not to find something that represented their personalities.
The Opposition felt that teen personalities are often exaggerated, especially girls, Girls are usually seen as very meek and mild or very aggressive and strong, there doesn't appear to be any in-between.
The Proposition felt that YA authors have all been teens themselves at one point, therefore they are in a good position to write from their perspective.
The Opposition countered this by saying that society and technology has changed so rapidly that YA authors aren't able to relate as easily as they once could.
The Opposition also felt that modern problems aren't well discussed in YA literature, something the Proposition fiercely denied!
Questions from the floor ranged from "Does YA literature fuel sexism?" to "Are teen mental illnesses well represented in YA Literature?" amongst several others.
With a final vote of 10-5, the debate was won by the members of the Opposition!
Overall it was an amazing debate and really fun to watch. I am excited to start this as a regular program as I can see there is a desire from the students to take part.
Earlier in the year a Year 11 Student Library Assistant approached me about the idea and together we came up with the topic: "Teens Are Accurately Represented in YA Literature".
Proposition and Opposition sides were chosen and the teams rehearsed once a week for a month to prepare.
Students were allowed to come and watch as long as they had a questions prepared to ask from the floor when the time was right.
The debate was live-Tweeted using #ghsdebates so others could keep track and join in if they wanted.
It was a very lively afternoon with lots of great points made by both sides.
The Proposition felt that there are so many YA titles available that teens would be hard pressed not to find something that represented their personalities.
The Opposition felt that teen personalities are often exaggerated, especially girls, Girls are usually seen as very meek and mild or very aggressive and strong, there doesn't appear to be any in-between.
The Proposition felt that YA authors have all been teens themselves at one point, therefore they are in a good position to write from their perspective.
The Opposition countered this by saying that society and technology has changed so rapidly that YA authors aren't able to relate as easily as they once could.
The Opposition also felt that modern problems aren't well discussed in YA literature, something the Proposition fiercely denied!
Questions from the floor ranged from "Does YA literature fuel sexism?" to "Are teen mental illnesses well represented in YA Literature?" amongst several others.
With a final vote of 10-5, the debate was won by the members of the Opposition!
Overall it was an amazing debate and really fun to watch. I am excited to start this as a regular program as I can see there is a desire from the students to take part.
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