Team Policy Debate Orientation

Volunteers make it Happen! 2 We can’t do this without you. You are making an investment. You are performing a teaching role in the lives of our students. You make it possible for young people to learn these skills. Thank You!

You are Qualified to Judge! 3 You already participate in communication activities. It is the speaker’s job to communicate with you. It is not your job to be a debate expert before coming. Our goal is for our students to speak to “the thinking man and woman on the street” That’s You!

What is Debate? Two opposing teams argue an idea: The Resolution Affirmative (upholds the resolution) Negative (refutes Affirmative position) Debaters alternate sides during the course of the tournament.

Debate Resolution Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially reform its trade policy with one or more of the following nations: China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan.

Role of the Judge DO: Listen to the debate. Decide which team best supports their position. Reach a conclusion and cast a vote for the team that best supports their position. Provide written feedback.

Role of the Judge DON’T: Request or accept written material offered by debaters before or during the round. After the round is finished you are free to request the written material that was read in the round. Interrupt or question the debaters. Leave the room or take phone calls during the round. Extend a debater’s speaking time by discussing the round with them when it is finished.

Debater’s Role The debaters are responsible for making their ideas clear to the judge, including: Debate Theory Organization of the ideas and arguments in the round Details of the Topic

What to Expect Number of judges: 1 in preliminary rounds Possibly more in elimination rounds (Always an odd number of judges) Timekeeper will give verbal signals during prep time and hand signals during speaking time (Sometimes the debaters will time) Greeting Debaters will introduce themselves May ask your judging philosophy

Before the Round Begins Check to make sure: You have not judged either of these teams in this event at this tournament Find the room number Make sure the tournament knows which ballot you have Fill in your name (if needed)

Before the Round Begins The ballot has space for the four names of the debaters: If these are already filled in, verify the speaker positions If these are not filled in, write them in before the round starts! (Debaters will be happy to help.) Now, the debate may begin and you are ready to listen and take notes.

Constructive vs. Rebuttal Constructive speeches are for building arguments. This is where new arguments are presented. Rebuttals are for refuting arguments that have been presented. Answering arguments Strengthening a position with deeper analysis May present new evidence, analysis and answers to existing lines of argumentation. No new lines of argumentation

1AC – the First Speech Purpose : Presents a “reason to change” the current system Why is it a significant issue? Offers a plan for solving problems and/or making the current system comparatively better Provides evidence to support position

Cross-Examination Cross-Examination: Three minutes Follows each constructive speech Only direct interaction in the round One-on-one question and answer Debaters face you

Flowing/Note-Taking Flowing: Organizes the ideas in a round Use flow sheet or plain paper Just a tool to help you Not to be turned in The right note-taking system allows you to: Absorb the presentation Reach a conclusion and cast a vote Give the debaters written feedback

TP – Round Structure 1AC First Affirmative Constructive 1NC First Negative Constructive 2AC Second Affirmative Constructive 2NC Second Negative Constructive 1NR First Negative Rebuttal 1AR First Affirmative Rebuttal 2NR Second Negative Rebuttal 2AR Second Affirmative Rebuttal Cats are better than dogs. Cats are adorable and soft. Dogs are superior to cats. Cats scratch a lot. Dogs are loyal. Dogs protect people. Dogs scratch too and bite. Dogs run away.

Other Key Considerations Time Limits Once the time is expired at the end of a speech, a debater may complete a sentence, but should not start a new thought. Once time has expired, judges are free to discard additional comments or speech content when evaluating the round. Debater Communication Debaters may communicate and pass notes discretely at the table. Debater Prep time Each team has a total of 5 minutes for preparation between speeches. The timekeeper should state start and end of this prep time, and any time remaining.

When the Round is Over You may request to review evidence for clarification or accuracy after the round. Please return any evidence you review before leaving the room. Do not ask the debaters for clarification of evidence or arguments. Do not disclose your decision! Do not solicit opinions about the round from other judges or observers in the room. Immediately following the round, take your ballots to the designated area for completion.

Filling Out the Ballot 19 Two Independent Decisions: 1.Decide which team wins the round 2.Reward individual speaking ability Set aside personal bias/opinion

Helpful Terms You may hear some of these terms during the round. The first four are called the Stock Issues. Topicality – Are we on the topic/resolution? Significance – Is the problem significant enough and/or the advantages great enough to require action? Inherency – Is the problem being taken care of in the Status Quo already? Are the advantages already in the Status Quo? Solvency – Will the plan work? You may also hear these terms used: Advantages – Benefits of the Affirmative plan. Disadvantages – Undesirable effects of the affirmative plan.

The Student Ballot Vote AFF or NEG Evaluate the Speakers: Write comments Circle and total the Speaker Points Rank speakers

The Ballot – Speaker Points/Rank Total Speaker Points 1 = poor… 5 = excellent Speaker points may be tied, break ties with rank Lower speaker points may win round Speaker Rank Ranks speakers by high points

The Speed Ballot This form is for early handoff to TAB, no RFD or comments please! Vote AFF or NEG Provide speaker points Rank speakers Instructions are on the bottom half of this ballot

The Student Ballot AFTER you have turned in your Speed Ballot, you are encouraged to write additional comments on the Student Ballot.

The Ballot: Reason For Decision 25 Provide written feedback to the debaters. This may be the most important part of the ballot for the debaters. Please explain how you came to your decision. Judge round based upon issues discussed in the round. Set aside your personal bias/opinion and be prepared to vote for a position you do not personally hold. Once you have made your decision: If you heard ideas or assertions you don’t agree with, or you have insights to share, use the ballot to explain this to the debaters. Double Loss = disciplinary only.

Rules Judge Orientation Staff Available If you have questions concerning the round or your ballot, staff will be available to answer your questions. Written Rules Available The written rules will be available to you in the judge’s area.

Thank You