It's flippin hot in here

On Thursday, December 11, 2008 two debate entered room 204 in RDHS. These teams were about to debate whether or not Millar's definition of a modern tragedy is appropriate to the modern age (or so we thought).The affirmative side was comprised of Mr.Ben Cousines, Mr.Justin Sweeny, and Mr.Dawson Lybert while Ms.Stephanie Boucher, Ms.Rebecca Ritchy and Ms.Stephanie McDonald made up the negative side. The debate was presided over by the Honourable Seth Epps, the Honourable Colton Bissonette, and the Honourable Logon Lubuk. As the judges issued there opening statement, they outlined there rules of engagement. 

After the formalities, the affirmitive side issued their opening statement with Mr. Sweeny arguing that Miller's definition is appropriate to the modern age because the average person today relates most easily with those similar to themselves, instead of trying to relate to nobility (like you are forced to do when reading Shakespearean tragedies) . Justin went on to close this very strong opening statement by stating "Its flippin' hot in here" accompinied of course with a vaguely Irish sounding accent. This opening argument was unfourtanetly the high point of the debate as the rest of the debate turned into arguing which is better: Shakespearean tragedies or Modern tragedies. This tragic turn of events was no doubt caused by the blistering heat in the classroom. None the less Stephane presented the negatives opening "argument" by presenting Arstotle's interpretation of tragedy, which was met with an exclamation of "Appeal to Boredom" by Mr.Cousines. Undettered, Stephanie went on to compare Hamlet and Cat on a hot tin roof until her time was up.

After pointing out that she talked too fast, the affirmitive side rebutted Stephanies argument by stating that modern tragedies are better because they are more civilized and less gory. The negative rebutted by pointing out that not all modern tragedies are civilized, but that they are all simplified. Stephanie argued that due to this simplification, the very meaning of tragedy could be lost whereas a more complex tragedy (shakespearean)  would stay true to the formula.

The remaining arguments and rebutals offered absolutley no new information and the negative side won with a tally of 24 points compared to the affirmitive side's meager 4.