Introduction to Flowing: Flowing the Media - Basic/Advanced

Learning Objectives

  • Record, organize, and identify arguments from different media sources.

Time Needed

~15-30 min.

Resources & Materials

  • Audio-visual setup

  • Paper (2-3 sheets per student)

  • Pen (1 per student)

Teacher Preparation

  • Select and queue up media for students to flow.
    • Songs
      • Choose songs with a fast beat and complex lyrics. For more advanced students, choose songs that make arguments.
      • Basic Examples:
        • Alphabet Aerobics (Blackalicious)
        • Who Am I? (Les Miserables)
      • Advanced Examples:
        • Poverty of Philosophy (Immortal Technique)
        • Unforgivable Youth (Lupe Fiasco)
    • YouTube Videos
      • Choose videos that are information-dense and quick-paced. For more advanced students, pick videos that make arguments and relate to current events.
      • Basic Example:
        • 7 Harry Potter Movies In Seven Minutes (FBE – The Fine Brothers)
      • Advanced Examples:
        • Crossfire (CNN) – Excerpts
        • Firing Line (PBS) - Excerpts

Lesson Outline

  • Review fundamentals of flowing. Emphasize that students should:
    • Flow vertically, in small columns (~7 columns per page).
      • The sample flow sheet in the AUDL Tournament Workbook can be used.
    • Write small, leaving vertical space in between each “argument”
    • Use symbols/abbreviations/shorthand.
  • Play media. Ask students to flow as if each song/video was a debate speech.
    • Less experienced students should focus on basic comprehension.
    • Advanced students should focus on identifying arguments, following the ARE model.
  • After each song/video, write the arguments made by the source media on the board.
    • For advanced students, write the arguments made by the source media on the board.
    • Lead discussion on the quality of each argument, following the ARE model.

Points of Improvement

  • Students write full words/sentences.

  • Students focus on assertions and miss supporting details

Signs of Mastery

  • Students record main ideas, with clear structure.

Instructor Notes

  • Screen any media used to ensure it is appropriate for your students.

  • Some students are often distracted by the video. Maintain focus on form, not content.

  • Emphasize that students’ shorthand only needs to be useful for them, even if it is non-standard.