Gifted Tongues: High School Debate and Adolescent Culture

(Paperback)

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Description

Seeking to understand adolescents as social actors, this work considers the benefits and drawbacks of the debating experience. It analyzes the training of debaters in rapid-fire speech, rules of logical argumentation, the strategic use of evidence, and how this training instills the core values of such American institutions as law and politics.

Reviews

"A well documented portrait of high school debate, exploring its culture and offering theoretical insight about argumentation and adolescence... The clarity, readability, and insight of Fine's writing make the book important and accessible for those who work with adolescents, whether in activities such as debate in a classroom, or in a community setting."--Erik W. Larson, Contemporary Sociology "Fine very accurately pinpoints the specific task the high school debates take on within the whole range of discourse, but never lets its cultural aspects move far out of sight. It is this combination of keen observations, interpretation and cultural reflection that makes the book a very useful piece of information for anyone interested in American adolescent culture."--Anouk van Aanholt, American Studies International "An illuminating and considered look into the world of competitive high school policy debate that reveal--all at once--the good, the bad, the peculiar, the ugly, and the truly remarkable about high school debate."--Timothy M. O'Donnell, Argumentation and Advocacy "Gifted Tongues is a judicious, clear, and entertaining read. Fine's story is well prepared with rich anecdotes and tidbits from a youthfully passionate community with intellectual resources beyond their years... Fine exposes the world of high school policy debate with an outsider's fascination and an insider's precision."--Eli Brennan, Controversia

Author Bio

Gary Alan Fine is Professor of Sociology at Northwestern University. He is the author of "Morel Tales: The Culture of Mushrooming, Kitchens: The Culture of Restaurant Work", and "With the Boys: Little League Baseball and Preadolescent Culture".