ShmoopTube

00:04

[Dino and Coop singing]

00:13

We're guessing that you've had a debate or two as a class project before.

00:16

You know, like when your teacher gives you some random stance like… "hamburgers are [Students on stage at a debate]

00:20

better than hot dogs" and makes you argue with someone about it.

00:22

Which is ridiculous, by the way.

00:24

They're both delicious…as a matter of fact, we tend to put ketchup, mustard, and hotdogs [Ridiculous stamp]

00:27

on our hamburgers.

00:29

Mmm.

00:30

Ahem….back to the topic at hand… [Kid holding giant hamburger]

00:32

Sure, that particular debate might seem a little silly, but debating is actually a super [The ridiculous stamp is rubbed away]

00:35

useful skill.

00:37

And not just for school projects!

00:38

The art of debate is something you can use in pretty much any area of your life. [Dino pointing at a blackboard]

00:42

Whether you're skillfully convincing your little sister that she really does want to

00:45

watch Star Wars instead of Tinkerbell for the millionth time… [Starwars playing on the TV]

00:48

Or debating your mom and dad on the merits of eating a bowl of ice cream for breakfast...

00:52

Knowing how to properly debate can definitely come in handy. [Guy reading the 'Debate 101' book]

00:56

Which is why it's time to debate again – but instead of Hollywood blockbusters or desserts [Clock with debate written on every hour]

01:00

for breakfast, you'll be debating the pros and cons of an energy resource.

01:03

And you're probably thinking – why prepare both sides if we're only going to argue for

01:07

one?

01:08

Well, the answer is actually pretty simple: your opponents are going try to make their [Girl with her finger up to make a point]

01:12

energy resource seem better than yours, which means you can be sure they'll research all [Coop pointing at a blackboard]

01:16

of the cons.

01:17

Because of this, it's important you stay one step ahead of the game and prepare to rebut, [Guy on a computer which says 'cons of coal']

01:22

or disprove the cons..

01:23

And really, nothing in life is perfect.

01:25

So even if you passionately believe that your resource is the best energy source ever made, [Girl arguing for solar panels]

01:30

it probably has its downsides…

01:32

Heck, think about a trip to Disney World – even that has its pros and cons. [Girl thinking about disney world]

01:35

For instance, the lines can be outrageously long. [The girl in a long line]

01:39

Waiting in line for an hour only to have the flight to Neverland be over in less than a

01:43

minute?

01:44

Kind of a bummer.

01:45

And it's in Florida, the capital of afternoon rain showers.

01:48

And the only thing worse than waiting in line for an hour is doing it in the middle of a [It starts to rain]

01:52

shower.

01:53

Oh, and don't even get us started on the food prices.

01:55

Want a few burgers, fries and some soda?

01:56

That'll be 50 bucks.

01:58

Pricey, huh?

01:59

See what we just did there?

02:00

We made one of the happiest places on Earth sound downright miserable. [The disney castle falls down]

02:04

Long lines, lousy weather and steep prices.

02:06

Sounds awful, huh?

02:07

And yes, we're a lot of fun at parties, thank you very much.

02:11

Of course, this is ignoring all the pros of Disney World... [Kid wearing a mickey mouse hat]

02:13

Meeting Mickey Mouse and the Disney princesses...

02:16

Riding amazing rides like Pirates of the Caribbean or Space Mountain...

02:19

And really, it's just straight-up one of the happiest places on Earth. [Picture of Disneyland]

02:22

That's gotta be a pro.

02:23

So obviously Disney World is great – but it's still possible to focus on its downsides

02:27

to make it sound not-so-great.

02:29

And that's exactly what your opponents are going to be doing in regards to your energy [Dino and Coop looking at a blackboard]

02:32

source.

02:33

Sure, you might have a bunch of pros to discuss, but that's only half the battle – the other [Girl holding piece of ripped paper that says 'pros']

02:37

half is preparing rebuttal statements for the cons your opponents might bring up. [Girl has the other half the paper which says 'cons']

02:41

That way, you'll be ready for anything thing they might throw your way. [Debate opponent chucking words at the girl]

02:44

For instance, if someone were to talk about how expensive the food was at Disney World,

02:49

you could rebut them by saying that you bring your own food in and eat picnic style.

02:53

It's way cheaper, and you also don't have to wait in line for food. [Girl at a picnic]

02:56

Double whammy rebuttal right there.

02:58

Once you prepare a whole bunch of these along with your pros, you'll be well on your way [Dino and Coop in front of a blackboard]

03:01

to winning your debate.

03:02

And good thing too, because the winner of the debate doesn't just get to bask in the

03:06

glory of victory...

03:07

They also win an all-expenses-paid trip to Disney World, courtesy of your teacher!

03:11

…Wait, that's not part of winning? [Teacher looks confused]

03:14

Well.

03:15

That's disappointing.

Full Transcript