Questioning in the Cross Examination Cross Examination Every

Questioning in the Cross Examination

Cross Examination �Every team member throughout the debate will both ASKS and ANSWERS questions in a cross examination. The order of questioners is � 2 nd Neg � 1 Aff � 1 Neg � 2 Aff �You want to be skilled in asking good questions to get to your point �You want to be skilled in answering without giving in/straying from your case.

Goals �Agree with you �Trap them into a contradiction �Set your opponent up for later �Clarify information �Get them off track �Question credibility of sources

The Structure of Questions � In general, the quickest, most efficient questions start questions with �"how, " �"what, " �"where, " �"why" or �"when" � Think that's obvious? Well, how many times have you begun a question with “Do you think that…” or “In your opinion…” etc. � When you ask a question, make sure you know what response you’ll get, including a weasel answer like, “It depends. ” � All questions should indicate that you have a particular reason for leading someone to a specific conclusion and

Types of Questions 1. Factual = one correct answer 2. Interpretive = more than one answer but still based in facts/evidence 3. Evaluative = no “correct” or “one” answer because it’s based in values or beliefs. �Of these three, which do you typically want to AVOID? ?

Factual questions �These have only one correct answer, like "Who killed Harry Potter’s parents? " �The answer is not always simple, however; it depends on how broad the question is. "Why does Harry’s prophecy matter to Voldemort? " is a factual question that can have a very complicated answer. �Factual questions usually make for a quick way to make a statement, repeat key facts/stats, or clarify a point. �What is the date on your source? �How many sources do you have supporting that stance?

Interpretive Questions � have more than one answer, but they still must be supported with evidence. � For example, depending on their interpretations, people can have different, equally valid answers to "Why is Harry Potter the leader of the rebellion? " �The answers are not wrong unless they have no relationship to the text at all, such as "Because aliens from outer space controlled him!" � When questioning any argument, it is important to ask interpretive questions that build on one another because your opponent will have to refer back to their resources. Interpretive questions are effective for starting class discussions, for stimulating oral and written language exercises and, sometimes, for leading to good inquiry-based learning projects.

Evaluative questions �These ask for some kind of opinion, belief or point of view, so they have no wrong answers. Nonetheless, the answers do depend on prior knowledge and experience, so they are good ways to lead discussions (e. g. , "What would be a good reason for J. K. Rowling to write another book? "). �They don’t really make for good critical questions, though, because they are internally focused and not really based in fact.

HOW TO DEVELOP QUESTIONS �Start with the point you WANT to make. What do you want them to say? And for this: THINK SMALL. �Don’t start with, “Do you think smoking marijuana is dangerous? ” �Instead, think about how to get them to SAY that through questions. Like �If participating in a certain activity could lead to lung cancer, would you consider that activity dangerous? �What happens to lungs that inhale too much smoke? �Is one method of marijuana use smoking it? �So if I understand you correctly, you’re saying that smoking marijuana is dangerous?

A pretty good formula to start with � Ask an Opening question (easy to agree with) � Related question � “Zinger” question that forces the other person to either contradict himself/herself or agree to something he/she doesn’t want to corroborate. � If participating in a certain activity could lead to lung cancer, would you consider that activity dangerous? � What happens to lungs that inhale too much smoke? � Is one method of marijuana use smoking it? � So if I understand you correctly, you’re saying that smoking marijuana is dangerous?

More Strategies: �Many times it’s helpful is to ask YES or NO questions, and try to limit the other team’s response to just that. �Ex: “Would you agree that …? ” Or “Is it possible that…” “Have you considered…” �And as soon as the other team responds, say, “Thank you, you have answered my question. ” �You want to trap them into giving you the exact answer you want.

SUPER IMPORTANT!! �You cannot ask raise new topics that were not included in the opposite side’s arguments. You may reference further research you have done on a point they made, but you cannot introduce an entire new item. Doing so causes you to LOSE points.

As the responder: � Your goal is to give a directed, appropriate response for as long as possible that defends your side, and disallows the opposing team to ask you any other questions. �You do not want to trap yourself into acknowledging the other side’s viewpoint or admitting that you have not done the research required to answer a certain question. �Hence why it is so important to do thorough research. �You do not want to acknowledge that you do not know.

Mock Trial �Example 1 �They lead with the answer they want �Clarify the points that they make �Restate the answer they want everyone to hear

A Few Good Men �He traps him by having him answer a question about one thing and then contradicting himself https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=_fr. M 44 b. BMf A

To Kill a Mockingbird �Not something you should do: �he doesn’t provide the answer for her �He doesn’t PUSH �He doesn’t lay out specifics to trap her �And he lost the trial

Legally Blonde �For Fun! �Though she DOES do a good job…

“Best Cross Exam Ever” � Listen to how he keeps referring to his point – this is the more difficult one.

PROVE: A dog makes a better pet than a cat

Preparing my questions They say, a dog is better b/c �Serve other purposes – help �Social interaction/training easier with dog �Image of “man’s best friend” �Form of protection �Can read human facial expressions �Better sense of smell �Conceded I Say � But those aren’t pets, they are service animals. � There are certain types of dogs for which this is true; other breeds are known to be combative and dangerous. No household pet cats are known to be dangerous � This is just preposterous. How can one know who is a friend to all?

PROVE: Junk food should be banned in public schools

Your task �Choose one of the points you’d like to make in your questioning. �Decide what you want them to say and work your way backward. �Once you’re ready, you will test this on your partner who will now serve as the opposition. �Each of you will test one of your arguments this way. �Make sure that in between questioning sessions you write down/amend your strategy to reflect what you’ve learned!