Debate Week
Debate Topic: Is graffiti a valid form of art or only vandalism?
Understanding the topic: Reading
Vocabulary:
vandalism: (n.) destruction of public or private property
technically: (adv.) according to a strict interpretation of a rule or definition
street tagging: (n.) the act of writing one’s name (often stylized as a “tag” on walls as a way of showing others you were there; sometimes done by street artists or gang members)
wacky: (adj.) strange, but fun
(the) thing is…: (phrase) used to introduce a core issue or subject, a reason, an explanation, or an excuse
Other keywords that might be useful:
artistic expression: (n.) expressing ideas or feelings through art
provoke: (v.) make people think or feel something deeply (positive or negative)
property damage: (n.) physical damage done to something someone owns
restoration: (n.) the process of returning something that was damaged to its original state
unauthorized: (adj.) done without permission
have double standards: (idiom) treat two similar things differently without a good reason