AN INTRODUCTION COMPETITION DEBATES

DEBATE Debate is essentially the art of arguing a point, policy or proposition of value. When participating in a debate, you must be: Prepared Researched Able to argue either side of an issue. Able to listen to, Flow, and attack an opponent’s (or opposing team’s) argument.

DEBATE CATEGORIES Congressional Debate (House or Senate) Lincoln/Douglas Debate (LD) Public Forum Debate (PF) Policy Debate (CX)

CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE Large group setting Debaters write legislation that they feel will better the world we live in. At tournaments, you then argue for or against legislation presented by competing schools. You are evaluated by judges on your ability to argue, to speak extemporaneously, understanding of parliamentary procedure and your overall participation

LINCOLN/DOUGLAS LD centers itself on a proposition of value, on what should be rather than what is. One debater holds each side of the value. The debaters should focus on logical reasoning and general principles rather than propose a plan of action. You may offer practical examples or solutions to illustrate how the principle could guide decisions.

LD PROGRESSION Affirmative construction – Affirmative reads a prewritten case. Cross Examination – Neg asks Aff questions. Negative construction – Negative reads prewritten case and addresses problems with affirmative case. Cross Examination – Aff asks Neg questions. First Aff rebuttal – Aff addresses his and opp’s case Neg Rebuttal – Neg addresses the Aff’s rebuttal, and summarizes the round. Second Aff rebuttal – addresses neg rebuttal and summarizes the round.

PUBLIC FORUM Teams of two argue current events taken from the monthly headlines. You are given a side (pro or con) on an issue.

PUBLIC FORUM PROGRESSION Speaker A—Constructive Speech (set up argument) Crossfire (Question time between Speaker A) Speaker B—Rebuttal (refute opposing argument) Crossfire (Question time between Speaker B) Speaker A—Summary (Explain your pos and opp. negs) Grand Crossfire (All speakers final questioning) Speaker B—Final Focus (Last opportunity to prove your side is right and theirs is wrong)

POLICY DEBATE Works in teams Propose a plan to solve the school year’s debate issue (colonization of the moon) Affirmative – Proposes a plan to solve the problem. Negative – Argues the problems with Aff plan.

POLICY PROGRESSION SpeechTime (high school)Time (college) First Affirmative Constructive First Affirmative Constructive (1AC) 8 minutes9 minutes Cross-examination Cross-examination of First Affirmative by Second Negative 3 minutes First Negative Constructive First Negative Constructive (1NC) 8 minutes9 minutes Cross-examination Cross-examination of First Negative by First Affirmative 3 minutes Second Affirmative Constructive Second Affirmative Constructive (2AC) 8 minutes9 minutes Cross-examination Cross-examination of Second Affirmative by First Negative 3 minutes Second Negative Constructive Second Negative Constructive (2NC) 8 minutes9 minutes Cross-examination Cross-examination of Second Negative by Second Affirmative 3 minutes First Negative Rebuttal First Negative Rebuttal (1NR) 5 minutes6 minutes First Affirmative Rebuttal First Affirmative Rebuttal (1AR) 5 minutes6 minutes Second Negative Rebuttal Second Negative Rebuttal (2NR) 5 minutes6 minutes Second Affirmative Rebuttal Second Affirmative Rebuttal (2AR) 5 minutes6 minutes