The Structure of a Debate

Purpose of the Speeches 6 minute affirmative constructive: This speech is prepared ahead, rehearsed, and should be perfectly times. It is a presentation of the affirmative’s position and establishes his/her stance.

Purpose of the Speeches 3 minute negative cross examination: The negative asks for clarification, asks for repetition of certain points, and tries to set up the affirmative to admit damaging information.

Purpose of the Speeches 7 minute negative constructive/rebuttal: This speech really has two parts: the first part is a written, rehearsed speech that builds the negative case and is about four minutes long. In the second part, the negative must attack his/her opponent’s points. The attack takes the last three minutes.

Purpose of the Speeches 3 minute affirmative cross examination: Now it’s the affirmative’s turn to question the negative, asking for clarification and trying to lead him/her down an ivy-covered path to destruction.

Purpose of the Speeches 4 minute affirmative reconstructive/rebuttal: The affirmative doesn’t have much time here, so she/he has to talk fast. She/he must go down the flow of the argumentation, hitting any arguments against his/her own case and then attacking each of his/her opponent’s arguments. Rebuild and attack.

Purpose of the Speeches 6 minute negative reconstructive/rebuttal: This speech has three parts, rebuild, attack, and crystallize. About two minutes to rebuild any arguments against the negative’s own case, two minutes to attack the affirmative, and two minutes to summarize the voting issues for the judge.

Purpose of the Speeches 3 minute affirmative reconstructive/rebuttal: This is a very short speech—time only to argue the most important points, attack the negative’s voting issues, and crystallize the affirmative’s own voting points.

Formulating the Debate Case: EXAMPLE RESOLUTION: A CHEESEBURGER OUGHT TO BE VALUED ABOVE SPAGHETTI.   STEP ONE: The entire debate is a test of the validity of this statement. Therefore, wording and semantics are crucial. Each important word must be defined from different angles.

Formulating the Debate Case: STEP TWO: Each debate will center on a value that you choose as the cornerstone of your position. This is called a value premise. This is the yardstick you will use to measure the value of your argument:   What are some good value premises for the resolution above for the affirmative and negative? Affirmative: Negative: Then, you have to establish the criterion you use to achieve your value. If you value premise for the above resolution was “Nutrition,” what would a good criterion be?

Formulating the Debate Case: STEP THREE: State arguments as main points (you will need two or three). Examples of the resolution:   The Cheeseburger affirmative might be: Value: _____________________________ Criterion: ___________________________ Contention One: Contention Two: Contention Three: The Spaghetti negative might be: Value: ______________________________

Formulating the Debate Case STEP FOUR: Use credible evidence to back up each point.   STEP FIVE: Find a good opening for the speech. STEP SIX: Time the speech so you make sure that you don’t go over.