DNC and RNC 2020

On August 17-20, 2020, the Democratic National Convention took place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Notable speakers included: Joe Biden, Barack Obama, Kamala Harris, Michelle Obama, Bill Clinton, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Elizabeth Warren, Hillary Clinton, and more.

Instructors, click the link below to download this week’s lecture for use in your classroom. The deck contains a writing prompt and a debate question as well as other assessment questions.

Download the PowerPoint Lecture Spark for "DNC and RNC 2020"

Links

“Fox News and the Drudge Report praised Biden’s ‘barn burner’ DNC speech, despite attacks from Trump”
https://www.businessinsider.com/fox-news-drudge-praise-biden-dnc-speech-despite-trump-2020-8

“Hits and misses from Night 3 of the Democratic National Convention”
https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/19/politics/democrats-analysis-best-worst-dnc/index.html

“Where do we stand now that the DNC is over and the RNC begins?: ANALYSIS”
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/stand-now-dnc-rnc-begins-analysis/story?id=72575081

“Chris Wallace calls Pence RNC speech ‘well-crafted’ and ‘very effective’ attack on Biden record”
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/chris-wallace-mike-pence-rnc-speech-effective

“Mollie Hemingway reflects on first night of RNC as being for ‘average Americans … not celebrities'”
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/mollie-hemingway-rnc-night-one-average-americans

“Hits and misses from Night 3 of the Republican National Convention”
https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/26/politics/republicans-analysis-best-worst-rnc/index.html

“Republicans Insist Only Trump Can Stop This Chaos. But He’s in Charge Now.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/27/us/politics/rnc-trump-convention-night-3.html

Assessment

Writing: Describe the differences in tone, style, and messaging that existed in both the RNC speeches and the DNC speeches. Despite your political leaning, which were the most powerful and effective for the DNC? For the RNC? Why?
Debate: Given our polarized country, national conventions are no longer effective but rather serve as an echo chamber for those loyal to their own parties.
Poll: Should national conventions remain as a virtual event to reallocate funds elsewhere?
Short Answer: Who was not present at either the DNC or RNC events that surprised you?

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Featured Image Credit: The White House from Washington, DC – V011013DL-0556