Students will go to the front of the room and present arguments exploring the sanity of Hamlet
Each speaker will have three minutes to present his/her argument and one minute of mandatory questioning time.
When student is giving his/her speech?
Student will be permitted to read essay.
When student has concluded speech and time is left, the student will yield remaining time for questions. That time will be added to the mandatory one minute for your classmates to ask you “on-task” questions.
Example– Speaker uses 2 minutes
1 minute left over will be added to mandatory 1 minute questioning time making the total time for questioning—2 minutes—total 4 minutes
Questioning--
We will observe a modified version of ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER…
If the motion fails, we will ask for our next speaker.
At the end of class, we will “rise to both questions” and vote on HAMLET’s sanity…
If the votes concerning Hamlet’s sanity passes by 2/3rds, the debate is over….
If the vote fails, we will continue to debate….
How are we graded? WORTH 200 pts
100 pts will be given for delivery and effectiveness of both the written and oral speech
100 pts will be based on each student’s participation in the questioning/congress discussion
How will the CONGRESS discussion be graded?
Any off-task questions, rude remarks, and off-task private conversations will result in a 10 pt deduction.
Every time a student asks a question/or series of questions will be recorded and graded on a scale of 1-5. Five is the highest score and will given for questions that generate additional analysis of the play.
How are students recognized for questioning?
Students will primarily be recognized based on whom raises his/her card first.
Also, students will be assigned to a speaker priority list….meaning once you have asked a question you move down the list—those who have not asked questions move up.
Important NOTES!!
Failure to pay attention will result in a low participation grade.
You should discuss the topic and how it relates to the overall play.
In Hamlet by William Shakespeare, the central character is involved in the deaths of three characters. While by his own admission and witness accounts verify his involvement, there is some question as to the mental capacity of Hamlet at the time each death occurred. In short, was Hamlet of sound mind when he participated in the untimely accidents?
Statement of Stance
You must clearly state your argument concerning the topic.
Based on the information presented through both direct and indirect characterization, I stand before you today to assert that Hamlet was (mentally competent/ incompetent) to stand trial for the death of (Polonius/Claudius).
Preview—briefly mention one or two reasons why you think Hamlet was sane or insane.
The first reason why I believe Hamlet was
Argument
Reason One
Statement of Reason (The first reason I think ______)
The first reason why I believe Hamlet is legally competent (is not legally competent) to stand trial for the death of Polonius centers around the very definition of legal insanity. According to the Black’s Law Dictionary, the term legal sanity refers “a mental disorder of such severity as to render its victim incapable of managing his affairs or conforming to social standards.
Argument
Reason One
Statement of Reason (The first reason I think ______)
