Written Debate Essay

A debate is a form of persuasive or representational argument. Typically, debates are verbal and interactive, with one side often prevailing over the other side by presenting superior "context" and/or framework of the issue, supported by scientific evidence, factual accuracy, logic and often emotional appeal to the audience. In a formal debating contest, there are rules enabling people to discuss and decide on differences, within a framework defining how they will interact. Deliberative bodies such as parliaments, legislative assemblies, and meetings of all sorts engage in debates.

The outcome of a debate may be decided by audience vote, by judges, or by some combination of the two. Formal debates between candidates for elected office, such as the leadersâ€™ debates and the U.S. presidential election debates, are common in democracies. We will adapt the debate format into a written essay. The entire intellectual exercise helps you develop the various skills necessary to brainstorm an appropriate idea for a debate question, perform appropriate literature research, and finally compose the debate essay. In the Debate Draft, students will come up with an appropriate two sided debate question, find and summarize a single published paper as evidence for each side, and write a very short critical reflection. In the Debate Essay,
students will write an essay that summarizes and evaluates the supporting evidence for either side of their debate question and makes a final â€œdecisionâ€ supporting one side, with clear justification for that stance articulated in the conclusion of the essay.

Debate Draft
Use the video clip suggestions below; OR other short videos you may discover based on other course topics, including sexual behaviour (or love); addictive behaviours; or learning and memory, to inspire you toward exploring possible mechanisms for interesting neuroscience observations.

Video Clips from â€œThe Brain that Changes Itselfâ€
1. Bill and Roger and Sensory Substitution (3:40- 7:11)
Bill and Roger work with scientists Mitch Tyler and Yuri Danilov in a process that uses other senses to recognize the visual appearance of objects.
2. Cheryl Schultz and Balance (7:12- 11:52)
Cheryl works with Paul Bach-y-Rita in a process that uses other senses to help her regain a sense of balance.
3. Barbara Arrowsmith Young and Changing Cognitive Capacity (0:00- 5:35)
Barbara Arrowsmith Young discusses her experience of being born with a learning disability and working to increase and redevelop her cognitive capacity.
4. Mike Merzenich and Brain Maps (5:36- 8:42)
Mike Merzenich works with people to train them to think and perceive better by working on brain processing areas called brain maps.
5. Michael Bernstein, the Taub Therapy Clinic and Constraint Induced Therapy
(0:00- 6:09)
Michael Berstein discusses his experience of his stroke and recovery process through improving his motor function in small steps.
6. Alvaro Pascual-Leone and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (0:00- 4:09)
Dr. Pascual Leone discusses the process of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and the role of neuroplasticity in changing the brain, both reviving and suppressing different functions. Dr. Doidge participates in an experiment that alters his brain function.
7. Derek Stein and Pain Suppression (4:10- 10:41)
Derek Stein works with Vilayanur S. Ramachandran to reduce the incidence of phantom limb pain following an amputation.
8. Michelle Mac and the Upper Limits of Neuroplasticity (10:42- 15:24)
Michelle Mac works with Dr. Jordan Graffman to learn how to compensate for the missing left hemisphere of her brain.

Video from â€œThe Brainâ€™s Way of Healingâ€
9. Minute 1:38 â€“ John Pepper, who walked of Parkinsonâ€™s
10. Minute 8 â€“ Jeri Lake and Kathy Nicol Smith gets their life back after traumatic brain injury.
11. Minute 15:45 â€“ Jordan and Duncan use â€œAuditory Zoomâ€ to improve autism.
12. Minute 26 â€“ Gabrielle Pollard heals an acquired brain injury with light.
13. Minute 34 â€“ touching the nervous system.

You are welcome to find other short videos or topics based on other course topics, including sexual behaviour (or love); addictive behaviours; or learning and memory.

When you are watching the video, reflect on the following:
- What is an interesting observation or effect related to neuroscience?
- What is a potential explanation or mechanism that may cause or lead to the observation/effect?
- What is an alternative explanation or mechanism that may lead to the observation/effect?
The answers to the last 2 questions could become your debate question.

Debate Draft â€“ consists of 3 parts:
1. Create a debate question based on one section of the documentary (or other topic). The question might emerge from something you view in the documentary (example; 2 alternative ways the brain might reorganize to allow â€œCherylâ€ to dance again as in Video Clip 1, section 2. Please make sure your question emphasizes the two sides (two alternative explanations for the observation, or perhaps opposing ways of looking at the same question).
2. An annotated bibliography gathers relevant sources to organize and summarize them according to the most relevant points. For this assignment, students must find two scholarly original research articles (primary papers, not review articles) published within the last five years. Each of the articles should provide
evidence supporting either side of their debate question. You will concisely summarize the articleâ€™s main point or finding relevant to the debate question.
Suggestion: Try to use higher quality â€œneuroscienceâ€ journals as sources, if possible.
3. Reflection. Why you chose the topic, and why each article supports one side.

Written Debate Essay A debate is a form of persuasive or represe...