Presidential Debate 2008 Analysis Essay

PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE 2016 ANALYSIS ESSAY Debate #2: Sunday, October 9, 2016/6-7:30 PM (PST) Mr. Mendelsohn/ AP English Literature/ VHHS Multimedia Magnet

While watching one of the 90-minute Presidential debates, use the attached rubric to score the debating skills of the two candidates, Donald Trump (R) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D). In addition, take notes on the six debate criteria for use in your analytical essay.

According to the debate commission, the second presidential debate "will take the form of a town meeting, in which half of the questions will be posed directly by citizen participants and the other half will be based on topics of broad public interest as reflected in social media and other sources. ... The town meeting participants will be uncommitted voters selected by the Gallup Organization."

If you cannot watch the debate live, or you wish to review what was said, use a rerun on a cable news channel or through the Internet. In addition, check online for a transcript of the debate dialog.

DIRECTIONS In a well-written, typed essay of 1-2 pages, analyze each candidate’s effectiveness in terms of content and style. In order to receive full credit, your analysis should:

• directly address the debate criteria as shown on the scoring rubric • discuss how the candidates did or did not inform you about their positions • discuss how the candidates did or did not meet the audience’s expectations • use specific references to the candidate’s dialog (paraphrasing is OK) • discuss the efficacy of the debate format (Town Hall) and moderator • explain which candidate, in your opinion, “won” the debate and why

GENERAL ESSAY CRITERIA To meet the standards for writing, your essay must:

• contain a thesis that addresses the purpose of your essay • reflect the criteria in the Presidential Debate 2016 Scoring Rubric • include proper use of quotation marks (if used) • be no more than 500 words (two typed pages, double-spaced, standard margins) • follow MLA format for name, date, class title, period and essay title • heading, title and body word processed with 12 pt. Times New Roman font only • follow the mechanics, usage, and grammar of standard written English • be free of mechanical and printing errors (smudges, glitches, faded ink, etc.) • be turned in by the deadline