1. - STYLES OF DEBATE - LEVELS OF COMPETITION - TOURNAMENTS! Westwood Debate COMPETITION OVERVIEW

2. All debate formats will have: A – Judge - Winner and Loser B – LOTS of research, preparation, and teamwork C – FUN!

3. Policy Debate Hyper-competitive  Very fast, very technical 2 – v- 2 format 1 resolution all year long  Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its transportation infrastructure investment in the United States.  As a result of only having 1 topic – research is both BROAD and DEEP Rounds last about 90 minutes

4. Public Forum Debate What you expect debate to look like – Presidential debates on TV, or the movie “The Great Debaters” 2 – v- 2 format Topic changes each month  Resolved: The benefits Post-9/11 security measures outweigh the costs to personal freedom.  Resolved: Congress should renew the Federal Assault Weapons Ban. Newest style of debate Judges are typically ‘lay’ persons Rounds last about 45 minutes

5. Lincoln-Douglas Debate Very competitive  Fast and technical depending on the level 1 v 1 debate Value-oriented or philosophical  Resolved: Justice requires the recognition of animal rights.  Resolved: The United States ought to extend to non-citizens accused of terrorism the same constitutional due process protections it grants to citizens Topic changes every 2 months Rounds last 45 minutes

6. Extemporaneous Speaking Speaking event more than debate Current events  Domestic  International Topic question  30 minutes to prepare and ‘memorize’  7 minute speech Format similar to an essay

7. Debate Organizations – Levels of competition UIL – University Interscholastic League  Local/regional competition in Texas only – we only participate in 1 practice tournament and we host one as well  Can get scholarships for doing well at State! TFA – Texas Forensics Association  State-level competition  Takes 10 points to qualify – earn points by placing in the varsity level at regular season tournaments TOC – Tournament of Champions  National-level competition – tournaments designated around the US as TOC qualifiers. Must compete exceptionally well to earn a ‘Bid’ to the tournament NFL – National Forensics Leagues  Honor society – like NHS  Host only 2 tournaments