The Great Debaters
Debate is blood sport. It's combat. But your weapons are words.
- Melvin Tolson
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As you view the film, watch for the use of the following persuasive terms and speaking techniques:
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Inspired by a true story, The Great Debaters chronicles the journey of Professor Melvin Tolson, a brilliant but volatile debate team coach who uses the power of words to shape a group of underdog students from a small African American college in the deep south into a historically elite debate team. A controversial figure, Professor Tolson challenged the social mores of the time and was under constant fire for his unconventional and ferocious teaching methods as well as his radical political views. In their pursuit for excellence, Tolson’s debate team receives a groundbreaking invitation to debate Harvard University’s championship team. Professor Tolson: Who is the judge? Debaters: The judge is God. Professor Tolson: And why is he God? Debaters: Because, he decides who wins or loses, not my opponent. Professor Tolson: And who is your opponent? Debaters: He doesn't exist. Professor Tolson: And why doesn't he exist? Debaters: Because, he is merely a dissenting voice to the truth I speak. |
The Real Great Debaters
Professor Melvin Tolson (Click on his image to read his poetry.)
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Henry Heights (Henry Lowe's character in the film is based on Mr. Heights.)
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Henrietta Bell Wells (Samantha Booke's character in the film is based on Ms. Wells.)
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James Farmer, Jr. (The character in the film is based on the actual person, James Farmer, Jr.)
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