Affirmative Opening

1. State the resolution We are resolved

We are resolved
That NOVA academy should allow students to listen to music during instructional hours if the student is
completing independent tasks.

2. Define the terms of the resolution For the purposes of this debate we define illegal immigrant as any
person who resides in the United States without proper documentation as defined by the current laws
For the purposes of this debate we define
music as any vocal or instrumental sounds (or both)
combined in such a way as to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion.
Additionally we define instructional hours as the time prescribed by the schedule as period 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, LINK,
or family
Lastly we define independent tasks as those which a student is instructed by the teacher to complete on their own
without teacher or peer assistance.
3. Present affirmative reasons for change Our proposed resolution will improve the United States of
America by
Our proposed resolution will improve NOVA academy Early College High school by
(Claim 1)
Creating a quiet, stress free environment during independent work periods

(Claim 2)
Increasing the productivity of students in class

(Claim 3)
And improving neural connections within the students brains

4. Present evidence/proof for reasons Ex: According to the (give source credibility/ETHOS: famed
economist/current senator/other reputable source and give name), our resolution will result in an
over boost of 20% to the GDP the US economy

According to Dr. Lesiuk of our resolution will help create a more productive environment by decreasing
student anxiety during completion of independent tasks. She cites a previous study by Knight and
Rickard, stating Quote Music may also serve as an anxiolytic treatment, that is, an anxiety preventative
or anxiety reducing measure. Knight and Rickard (2001) explored the effect of sedative music on
participants subjective and physiological stress levels following a cognitive stressor involving preparation
of an oral presentation. Significant increases in physiological stress were reported for those who prepared
the task without music, while the presence of music suppressed significant increases in subjective
anxiety, systolic blood pressure, and heart rate. Further, individuals value their own or preferred music
when considering the music that best relaxes them end quote. Therefore students at NOVA should be
allowed to listen to their OWN preferred music during these periods.

Additionally/Also Dr. Lesiuks research points to our resolution creating an environment which is
more productive. In an August 2012 New York Times article Amish Padnani summarizes Lesiuks study
stating quote Dr. Lesiuks research focuses on how music affects workplace performance. In one study
{} she found that those who listened to music completed their tasks more quickly and came up with
better ideas than those who didnt because the music improved their mood. End quote. There is a direct
link cited in Lesiuks study between a work environment with reduced anxiety and improved work
performance. The link is that worried brains tend to wander off task while those who are happy tend to
stay on task and complete tasks in less time.
Lastly/Furthermore according to Don McMannis, an expert on children's music from an Edutopia article
by Professor Elias of Rutgers University using music in the class room increases brain function because
(quote) Music is [] an effective, almost magical medium for learning and retaining information. It
activates three different centers of the brain at the same time: language, hearing, and rhythmic motor
control. By inducing emotions, it also creates a heightened condition of awareness and mental acuity.
Words paired with music are far easier to retain. As an example, most of us can remember the words and
meanings of songs we haven't heard for years. Isn't it interesting how you still remember your ABCs?
(end quote) By this theory students should be able to not only complete tasks in less time but also learn
more within that smaller amount of time. If students were this efficient at NOVA they could learn even
more in the school year and be better prepared than their counterparts when they have graduated to the
college level.
Restate the Resolution
Clearly, judge, our resolution would bring about an improved scholarly atmosphere at NOVA academy as
music has been proven to help alleviate student stress during work periods, increase productive of
individuals, and improve the way in which the brain learns new ideas, words, and concepts.