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Being Negative: Horror Story - Introducing the Disadvantage
Learning Objectives
Introduce format of a disadvantage.
Deliver speech from prepared notes.
Increase comfort with public speaking.
Time Needed
~20-25 min.
Resources & Materials
Paper (2-3 sheets per student)
Pencil/pen (1 per student)
Teacher Preparation
Review parts of a disadvantage, per the AUDL curriculum.
Lesson Outline
- Horror Story (Activity)
- To begin, divide the squad into 3-4 groups.
- Each group will have to deliver a short (1-2 minute) speech, so adjust group size accordingly.
- Assign each group to write an original horror story.
- Give students a brief (no more than 5-minute) period to prepare.
- After each group is prepared, have a representative from each group present its horror story to the squad.
- “Flow” each horror story on the board.
- If time permits, have students vote on the “scariest” horror story. Give the group whose story is chosen a suitable reward (e.g., candy).
- To begin, divide the squad into 3-4 groups.
- Disadvantage (Introduction)
- After each horror story has been presented, ask students to identify what each story has in common. Lead the discussion to identify the following parts:
- Beginning: Each story should begin with things being normal.
- Change: Each story should have a key moment where things change, and a horror element is introduced (e.g., a ghost appears).
- Climate: Each story should have a moment where the horror element reaches a climax. The rising action ends, and the worst part of the horror story starts (e.g., someone dies).
- Introduce the Disadvantage
- Briefly review the roles of the Affirmative (defend plan) and the Negative (defend status quo).
- Explain that a Disadvantage is like a horror story, and introduce each part:
- Uniqueness: The Negative defends the status quo. Similar to a horror story, where all is well at the beginning.
- Link: Much like a horror story, the plan changes something, creating a negative chain reaction.
- Impact: Like the climax of the horror story, the impact is the ultimate negative consequence of the change made by the plan.
- After each horror story has been presented, ask students to identify what each story has in common. Lead the discussion to identify the following parts:
Points of Improvement
Students speak softly or with excessive pauses.
Students are unable to tell the difference between the link and impact.
Signs of Mastery
Students speak clearly and confidently.
Students understand the difference between each component of the disadvantage.
Instructor Notes
This activity is best suited for less experienced students.
Watch the time during each group’s presentation.
Students tend to get overly excited. Enforce strict time limits to stay on track.