Although Ireland has gained independence since the the events of the O’Flaherty’s story “The Sniper” or Jordan’s film “Michael Collins,” Northern Ireland continues to be a place of conflict, which can be viewed in at least two ways:
- Northern Ireland should remain separate from Ireland.
- Ireland should become one country without a north and south division
Work in a group to debate these two opposing viewpoints. First, use print and electronic sources to research this conflict. Then decide on a statement to debate; for example, Northern Ireland should remain a separate country. Divide into two groups, one for and one against, and then prepare to debate with your classmates. Use the following guidelines as your prepare:
- review the facts in your research
- think about your opinion or the position you’ll be taking
- prepare a persuasive argument about two minutes in length
- work co-operatively with others on your team to develop three arguments that, but don’t repeat, each other
- revise your argument
- memorize and practice delivering your argument
- during the debate listen carefully to the opposing team’s arguments
- prepare your rebuttal (your response to the argument of an opposing team member)
