1. Public Forum Debate
The Rules in Brief

2. Quick Write 5/21/14
Should reparations be paid to the victims of genocide and slavery?
Reparation - the making of amends for a wrong one has done, by paying money to or otherwise helping those who have been wronged.
Genocide – systematic destruction of all or part of a racial, ethnic, religious or national group via the
a) Killing members of the group;
(b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;
(c) Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part;
(d) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group; or
(e) Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group. 

3. Quick Write – 5/23/14 Should housewives get paid for their work?
As citizens, we choose our different paths and career options that will help to fulfill our sense of destiny.
In some instances, A woman may make the sacrifice of a career and even much of a life to be a housewife. In these instances, some believe they should be rewarded for this in some manner, even by the government if necessary. 
On the other hand, some believe that housewives shouldn’t be paid for their work because it is a personal decision to have children and stay home to care for them. What do you think?
Should housewives get paid for their work?

4. Pre-Debate Two people debate two people.
One team flips a coin and the opposing team calls heads or tails.
Whoever wins can choose from two options:
-To debate the pro or con side
-To speak first or second
The losers of the coin flip choose from the remaining option.

5. Who are you convincing?
You must present your information in a way that will persuade a lay judge, or someone who is not actively involved in debate, often a member of American society

6. This is not what we do!

7. Debate Setup – time adjusted
Team A: First Speaker: Opening Statement
3 minutes
Team B: First Speaker: Opening Statement
Crossfire (A1 vs. B1)
Team A: Second Speaker: Rebuttal
Team B: Second Speaker: Rebuttal
Crossfire (A2 vs. B2)
Team A: First Speaker: Summary (Rebuttal)
2 minutes
Team B: First Speaker: Summary (Rebuttal)
Grand Crossfire (A1 and A2 vs. B1 and B2)
Team A: Second Speaker: Closing Statement
1 minute
Team B: Second Speaker: Closing Statement

8. More in Depth The Opening Statements (“Constructive Speeches”):
Team A- since they go first it consists of the main arguments for their side.
Team B-  their opening statement should consist of their team’s main arguments as well as some references/rebuttal to the arguments they just heard.

9. More in Depth First Crossfire:
Now the two first speakers from Teams A and Team B begin their 3 minute crossfire.
In theory, A1 asks the first question. In practice, however, B1 may do this.
They ask questions back and forth, revealing weaknesses in each others arguments.
Questions can be relevant to arguments made by the opponent during first speech or something you want to trap your opponent on

10. More in Depth The Rebuttal (for debaters A2 and B2):
Team A- Second speaker gives a 4 minute speech which presents new arguments but also rebuts arguments made by the other team in first crossfires/speeches.
Team B- Second speaker does the same as above.
Following this is the 3 minute Crossfire between the two second speakers....exact same procedure as the first crossfire.

11. More in Depth Summary Speech:
Team A- First speaker (A1) gives a two minute summary speech of the debate with: this is mostly a re-statement and a chance to add facts, examples, and new arguments; as well as a chance to rebut.
Team B- First speaker (B1) does the same as above for two minutes.

12. More in Depth Grand Crossfire!!
This is the source of Public Forum’s surging popularity among debate formats. It’s very similar to the other crossfires but this one includes all 4 team members together.
The speaker that gave the first summary begins the grand crossfire by asking the first question.
Grand Crossfire lasts the same amount of time as the other crossfires, three minutes. Avoid the urge to have one partner or the other dominate: try to present a balanced attack.
Also...AVOID YELLING!!...although the Grand Cross may get heated, screaming will only cost your team valuable points!

13. More in Depth The Final Focus:
The second speakers of each team give a one minute persuasive speech to explain why his or her team should win the round (their strengths or the other side’s weaknesses). A2 goes first, then B2.
No new arguments are allowed in the Final Focus!