1. Welcome to the Debate Team! Advisors: Mrs. Brashier Mrs. Allen

2. How many on a team?  Our goal is three  Do we all have to be in the same grade?  Nope!  What if we lose a teammate or do not have enough members on the team?  Two is okay – we’ll make it happen!

3. How does it work?  See document

4. Rules for Debate  See document

5. How will we be judged?  See document

6. When will we debate?  We are only allowed one month to prepare for the debate competition  We will announce the topic in May and have a June debate

7. How is the topic decided?  Each advisor from Sandburg, Poquessing, and Maple Point come up with several ideas and we vote on the best choice  Each member will prepare for ONE topic  What’s the catch?  You will NOT know which side you are on so you MUST prepare for both – pro and con.

8. Who do we compete against?  Poquessing and Maple Point  You will never go against your own team (anyone else from Sandburg)

9. When will we meet?  Every other Thursday from 3-4pm in D-4 and the library  Please try to arrange for transportation promptly at 4pm  Please listen to the announcements for meeting dates and changes

10. If we don’t know our topic until May, why meet?  Practice, practice, practice!  Participate in mock debates  Get comfortable with researching and finding credible resources  Get used to being on both sides of an argument

11. Debate Team Website  http://www.neshaminy.org/domain/1932 http://www.neshaminy.org/domain/1932  How to get here:  Go to www.neshaminy.orgwww.neshaminy.org  Click on Carl Sandburg Middle School under schools at the top left of your screen  Click on Departments  Click on Communications

12. Is it too late for your friends to join?  Not at all! The more the merrier.

13. Our next meeting…  Thursday, October 23rd

14. Any questions?