Trial Requirements

Who: You.
What: America on Trial
Where: Our very own Model United Nations Conference Room
When: Wednesday, June 4th (and tentatively, June 5th, if necessary)
Why: Keep reading below

America on Trial

Length: 3-5 minutes (no more, or less)

Content/Organization: anything you need for this is within your research (historical essay and persuasive outline)

• The introduction is a road map.
  
• Your introduction should include whether you are defending or indicting America, and WHY - be specific.
  
• You are going to tell the panel what they will be hearing, in a broader sense, during the rest of your presentation. Look at it as a five paragraph essay with potentially more paragraphs.
• Minimum of four (4) arguments should be in the body of your presentation.
  
• You only want to use your strongest arguments. Using a weak argument will only open the door for potential questions about your case.
• If you can find a strong hook (not cheesy or forced) to start your arguments, your case will be better remembered, and your arguments will stand out more. Remember, there are 24(ish) other arguments the panel has to hear. Why would they remember yours?? Being clear and concise, and potentially having a strong hook is KEY.
  
• The body of the presentation should give evidentiary and in depth arguments as to why you are indicting or defending America. Rely on your critical thinking skills to develop these arguments. You want to delve deeply into each of the arguments presented in the introduction.
• The conclusion should wrap up the presentation. Therefore, reiterate your strongest points, and why you are indicting/defending America.
  
• Pretty much: First , "We tell 'em what we're gonna tell 'em; Second, "We tell 'em;" Finally, "We tell 'em what we told 'em."
  
• After you plead your case, be prepared to answer questions:
• clarifying questions
  
• evidentiary questions
• suppositional (hypothetical) questions
• etc. (any other challenging questions)
• Keep in mind your weakest arguments, and challenges that could be made to your position.
  
• Be prepared to hear the counter arguments.
  
• Predict what may be asked/argued against you.

Purpose/Goal: To persuade the panel that America has failed or succeeded with regard the issue you are discussing.