DEBATE ROLES & STRUCTURE

Types of debates Lincoln-Douglas Debate World Schools Debate American Parliamentary Debate American Public Forum Lincoln Douglas –

ROLES 1st Affirmative/Negative = Constructive 2nd Affirmative/Negative = Refute 3rd Affirmative/Negative = Rebuttal

STRUCTURE 1. First Affirmative constructive 3. Second Affirmative Constructive (Refute) 5. Rebuttal 2. First Negative constructive 4. Second Negative Constructive (Refute) 6. Rebuttal

1st CONSTRUCTIVE STRUCTURE **Present the strongest case and expand the debate Introduction (Grabber & Resolution) Philosophy (Team’s Belief) Problem w/ Evidence Obstacles Brief summary – conclusion on case **Take away the offensive Introduction (Grabber & Counter-claim) Evidence Brief summary – conclusion on case

AFFRIMATIVE INTRODUCTION In Maher v AFFRIMATIVE INTRODUCTION In Maher v. Roe, the supreme court ruled, “the right of procreation without state interference has long been recognized as one of the basic civil rights of man . . . fundamental to the very existence and survival of the race.” Because I agree with the Court’s ruling that couples must be allowed to establish families without government interference, I affirm the resolution that paid surrogacy ought to be legal.

NEGATIVE INTRODUCTION The journalist, Ellen Good man, recently wrote in the Boston Globe: “it is fair to ask about the moral limits of commerce . . We impose limits on our medical commerce. . .we cannot sell a kidney. We should not be able to sell a pregnancy.” Because I agree with Ms. Goodman that it is morally unacceptable to place pregnancy on the market, I negate the resolution and stand resolved that paid surrogacy ought not be legal.

2nd Constructive (REFUTE) NEGATIVE Return to the 1st constructive Refute the affirmative’s points Provide additional evidence to strengthen the negative’s case. AFFIRMATIVE Uphold the affirmative burden of proof Refute the negative’s points Provide additional evidence to strengthen case

3rd CONSTRUCTIVE (REBUTTAL/CLOSING) AFFIRMATIVE Return to the affirmative’s case. Refute the negative’s objections. Center on three major arguments which the case depends. Summarize and conclude, calling for a acceptance of their proposition. NEGATIVE Re-establish the negative’s objections Re-attack the affirmative’s rationale. Summarize and conclude, calling for a rejection of the proposition.

Basic Refutation format ATTACKING: State the opponent’s argument Explain why the argument is flawed Explain HOW the flawed argument weakens the opponents position. RESPONDING State your argument that was attacked State your opponent’s attack on the argument Explain why the attack is flawed. Explainwhat impact the argument has on your position.