1. Public Forum Debate
A quick guide

2. Overview
Team event that advocates or rejects a position posed by the monthly resolution topic – nflonline.org
Communicate in a persuasive manner to a non- specialist. i.e. a American jury
Should
Display solid logic, lucid reasoning, depth of analysis
Use evidence
Present clash of ideas by countering/refuting arguments (rebuttal)
Communicate with clarity, organization, eloquence, professional decorum

3. Topics
Worded as resolutions – advocate solving a problem by establishing your position
Understand terminology
Resolved: Free trade benefits all nations
Know definition of free trade

4. Case development and evidence
Team creates BOTH pro and con position
Create a case persuasively supported by evidence and reasoning.
Short – so base your case on quality arguments
Evidence – mix of facts, statistics, expert quotations, studies, polls, real life examples, anecdotes, analogies, personal experience, etc.
Don’t overwhelm your case with evidence - select the BEST evidence

5. Coin Flip Winning team selects: The side (pro or con)
The speaker order (begin the debate or give the last speech)

6. Speeches and Time Limits
Speaker 1 (Team A, 1st speaker) – 4 min
Speaker 2 (Team B, 1st speaker) – 4 min
Crossfire (between speaker 1 and 2) – 3 min.
Speaker 3 (Team A, 2nd speaker ) – 4 min
Speaker 4 (Team B, 2nd speaker) – 4 min
Crossfire (between speakers 3 and 4) – 3 min
Speaker 1 Summary – 2 min
Speaker 2 Summary – 2 min
Grand Crossfire (all speakers) – 3 min
Speaker 3 Final Focus – 2 min
Speaker 4 Final Focus – 2 min

7. First Pro Speech
Constructs arguments advocating the resolution’s worthiness.
Key analysis will be to present major reasons why there is a problem.
An underlying concept will always be the risk of change versus the risk of not changing.
Speech should have:
Brief intro
Definitions (optional)
A few reasons for adopting the topic with accompanying evidence
Each reason should be an independent reason to vote for the resolution and should explain why it’s pertinent
Conclude with a summary of the arguments covered.

8. First Con Speech
Constructs arguments showing disadvantages of the resolution and why it should not be adopted.
If the pro speech has the advantage of changing the future, the con speech has a track record of experience (status quo) and why change is ill- advised
The outline will be the same as the pro speech.

9. Third and Fourth Constructive Speeches
Burden is to refute the other team’s arguments by analyzing and explaining flaws in the opponent’s position.
Identify the opposition’s key arguments and attack their legitimacy by:
Turning the analysis to the other side
Present evidence that destroys or reduces the opposing position
Presenting alternate causes that are not accounted for by the opposition
Expose argument inconsistencies during crossfire

10. Summary Speeches Explain and summarize issues brought up so far.
New evidence but not new arguments.
Brief overview
Each key argument should have a short original quotation, anecdote, or fact.
Wrap up each argument by stressing its importance in arriving at a fair decision

11. Final Focus You’re framing why your team has won the debate
NO NEW ARGUMENTS ONLY NEW EVIDENCE FOR PREVIOUS ARGUMENTS
“If I were judging this, what would I be voting on?”
Choose the most important argument you are winning, and summarize the analysis and evidence that make it so important
Turn a major argument from your opponent into the winning analysis and evidence of one of your important arguments
Answer the most important argument you may be losing by summarizing the analysis and evidence that you believe takes out the opponent’s argument
Choose an argument that you believe the community judge will most likely vote on
Expose a major inconsistency made by your opponent.

12. Crossfire
Have equal access to the floor but the first question must be asked by the debater that just finished speaking.
A debater who attempts to be dominating or rude will lose points – be creative.
Good questions should be brief
Answers must meet the question

13. Grand Crossfire Seated – everybody interacts
First question asked by the team that just ended its summary.
All should participate

14. Prep Time Each team has two minutes of prep time during debate.
Best used right before summary or final focus speech.
Public Forum Debate stresses that speakers appeal to the widest possible audience through:
Sound reasoning
Succinct organization
Credible evidence
Clear delivery