Ms. Stolerman -TJ Novice League Preparation

League Events: Judges Clinic Baylor Clinic Varsity & JV Tournaments Novice Tournaments Novice Schools should compete in at least 5 tournaments! Debates: October -April School should provide 1 judge for every 2 teams Host school must appoint time keepers for each debate Ballots & results of a debate to be revealed at the end of a tournament! Novice tournaments take place after school – 2 rounds (1 Aff/1 Neg)

1 st Affirmative 2 nd Affirmative 1 st Cross-examination of Affirmative speaker 2 nd Cross-examination of Affirmative Speaker Affirmative Rebuttal 1 st Negative 2 nd Negative 1 st Cross-examination of Negative speaker 2 nd Cross-examination of Negative speaker Negative Rebuttal Judge & Time Keeper

The Affirmative chooses an area within the topic on which they wish to debate. The Burden of Proof lies with the Affirmative! Goal: 1. Demonstrate/show that there is a problem with the present system 2. Show there is a need for change 3. Show the status quo is not meeting resolving the problem. AFFIRMATIVE must offer a PLAN to meet these needs!!

The Affirmative Plan must adhere to the 5 Pillars of Debate: Necessity/Inherency Topicality Feasibility Fundability Efficacy/Solvency

The plan addresses a problem in need of a solution

The Plan meets the requirements of the topic within the resolution

The Plan can be executed by available physical means

The Plan is fully paid for as explained by a detailed accounting

The plan will solve the given problem

The Affirmative Team MUST support their assertions with reasonable evidence, which will determine the quality of their presentation.

The Negative must clash with the opponents and argue against the viability of the Affirmatives plan and/or assertions. The Negative may demonstrate that the present system is working and that there is no need for a change (defend the status quo). The Negative must support their assertions with reasonable evidence, which will determine the quality of their presentation

A Team can challenge the existence of a quote or piece of evidence only if they feel it has been fabricated or grossly distorted. The Negative can challenge a definition stated by the Affirmative only during the 1 st Negative constructive speech. Challenges must be made known to the judge as soon as possible & before the end of the debate. The Judge must note the details of the challenge, including the citation in question, on the ballot.

A counter plan may not be proposed by either team at any time! Definition: alternative to the affirmatives plan that is described in the same detail as in the 2 nd Affirmative speech. (Mentioning an alternative in one sentence is not a counter- plan) Penalty: 0 for the speech in which the counter-plan is proposed.

A presentable appearance is appropriate when representing your school. Boys: suit, sport jacket, dress shirt, sport/dress trousers, necktie, sport/dress shoes. (Varsity) Good, neat, and presentable school clothes at JV and Novice level. Girls: appropriate dress, squirt, or suit Judges: Should follow the same code as debators NO: Jeans, sweat suits, sweatshirts, sneakers, hats, or costumes.

NO ELECTRONIC DEVICES of any kind are allowed during a debate. (Calculators, cell phones, computers, etc. ) Penalty: Automatic loss of the round and zero points awarded for the segment in which the device was used.

Fiat Power provides that the Affirmative plan will be adopted provided that the affirmative team gives convincing arguments for adoption. It cannot be debated by either team. Deduction points for debating Fiat Power will be left up to the judges discretion, but will not exceed 3 points.

Definition: a frivolous presentation which does not seriously engage the opposing team in an intelligent clash of ideas related to the debate theme and whose primary purpose is to entertain and/or play to the amusement of the classroom audience. If a judge believes a joke debate is taking place, they must immediately terminate the debate and bring it to the attention of the coaches present. Penalties: automatic loss of round, disqualification of teams school from any awards won at that tournament, disciplinary action by school district

No debater is allowed to act in a rude or overly intimidating manner. Any debater who exhibits such behavior will be given an obnoxious point (reduction of team score by 1 point) by the judge. Must be written on ballot at the point where the instance occurred. 5 obnoxious points = suspended from next tournament If 5 th obnoxious point earned in last tournament of the season, the teams scores will be disallowed!

In the event of a tie, the Negative Team WINS!

Visual Aids are NOT allowed! Definition: any object that needs to be present in order for any statement made by any debater to make sense. Ex: charts, graphs, flags, pictures, videos, costumes, songs, dances, etc. Any attempt to involve the judge/audience will be seen as a visual aid Penalty: Loss of debate

Each debater must write their name and ID/# on the board. The Affirmative team must write the resolution (THBT) on the board. Neither team is allowed to reveal the names of their schools!!!

A. 1 st Aff Constructive B. 1 st Neg cross-x C. 1 st Neg Constructive D. 1 st Aff cross –x E. 2 nd Aff Constructive F. 2 nd Neg cross-x G. 2 nd Neg Constructive H. 2 nd Aff cross-x I. Rebuttal Prep Time J. Negative Rebuttal K. Affirmative Rebuttal minutes 2 minutes 4.0 – 5.0 minutes 2.0 minutes minutes 2.0 minutes minutes 2.0 minutes 3.0 minutes = 37 minute Total

5 minutes. If STOP card is held up by the time keeper, the speaker may finish their sentence at the pleasure of the judge. Judged on merit and one speakers defense under cross-examination During the 1 st Affirmative, the terms of the resolution should be defined and a 30 sec outline of plan must be given. No details of the Affirmatives plan should be given during the 1 st Affirmative constructive.

If the Negative speaker asks for details of the Affirmatives plan during the 1 st Neg cross-x, the Affirmative speaker should respond, My partner will handle that. Negative must show: 1. There is a serious flaw in the Affirmatives plan. 2. They must negate the Affirmative Teams arguments or 3. Prove that the stated need is exaggerated or non-existent, and that the Affirmatives plan is unnecessary!

Each member of each teem must give one constructive speech. Rapid fire speech is discouraged.

Cross-examiners MUST ASK QUESTIONS and NOT make statements! The person being cross-examined may extend their answer beyond yes or no. If a question is asked and the STOP card is raised by the time keeper, the cross- examinee has a choice to answer or not. Each member of each team must conduct a cross-examination.

3 minutes preparation time. Negative Team can choose to wave their time and start their rebuttal immediately following the 2 nd Affirmative cross- examination. No new arguments may be presented during any rebuttal. Penalty: no points awarded for the rebuttal. New evidence, however, is allowed and encouraged!

No member of their team may approach the judge for any reason at the conclusion of a debate round!!!!!

Please See Ms. Stolerman on the designated date to receive special training!