Debates

=Welcome to the Debate Page!= media type="file" key="Speak with Conviction.mp4" width="300" height="300" align="right"

The Debate Resolution

 * A one sentence statement which serves as the topic of the debate. It tends to be a controversial or one-sided statement of opinion about which the two sides will argue

The Debate Team

 * Debate teams are divided into two parts: Affirmative and Negative.
 * Affirmative Teams of two persons debate for or in favor of the resolution. They try to convince the judge and audience that the resolution is true, correct, and valid.
 * Negative Teams of two persons debate against the resolution. They try to convince the judge and audience that the resolution is false, inaccurate, invalid, or flawed.

The Debate Speeches

 * There are several types of speeches in a debate, each with its own purpose and strategy. The speeches are listed below in sequence as they come in a debate.
 * = **Speech** ||= **Length A** ||= **Length B** ||= **Length C** ||
 * = **Affirmative Constructive** ||= 3 ||= 5 ||= 7 ||
 * = **Negative** **Constructive** ||= 3 ||= 5 ||= 7 ||
 * = **Break** ||= 1 ||= 2 ||= 3 ||
 * = **Affirmative Rebuttal** ||= 3 ||= 5 ||= 7 ||
 * = **Negative Rebuttal** ||= 3 ||= 5 ||= 7 ||
 * = **Break** ||= 1 ||= 2 ||= 3 ||
 * = **Affirmative Cross Ex** ||= 2 ||= 3 ||= 4 ||
 * = **Negative Cross Ex** ||= 2 ||= 3 ||= 4 ||
 * = **Break** ||= 1 ||= 2 ||= 3 ||
 * = **Affirmative Summation** ||= 2 ||= 3 ||= 4 ||
 * = **Negative Summation** ||= 2 ||= 3 ||= 4 ||
 * = **TOTAL MINUTES** ||= 23 ||= 38 ||= 53 ||

The Evidence

 * Evidence in a debate is define as a fact, example, or expert opinion which tends to support your position in the debate, or that which damages or weakens your opponents' position.
 * Evidence should be taken from a primary or scholarly secondary source.
 * Evidence should be recorded as a direct quotation. There should be NO paraphrasing of evidence.
 * Evidence should be recorded onto 4 x 6 index cards, one piece of information per card. Each card should also contain the bibliographic citation in MLA format, followed by the page number or the word "online" at the bottom of the card. Evidence with no citation does not count as evidence.

Debate Rules

 * Gather and use evidence ethically. Do not alter the meaning of a quote by dropping words out of the middle of the passage. Do not use espionage, theft, extortion, or seduction to discover the opponents' case before the debate. Unethical behavior can result in a forfeit or an F or both; the judgement of the teacher is final.
 * Each member of a two person team will do a major speech (constructive or rebuttal) and a minor speech (cross ex or summation). Both team members should work together in the research and development of the speeches. Both team members should pay attention during the debate and assist in the development of ad libbed speeches. Collaboration is allowed during breaks, and sharing of notes and evidence is encouraged.
 * Speak to and face the judge at all times. The cross ex is the only speech which is actually directed to the opponents, but you still look at the judge, not condescending to cast a glance at your opponents.
 * Assertiveness taken to the point of being slightly ruthless and antagonistic is actually considered good form in formal debate, as long as the quality of your preparation warrants such an attitude.
 * Never concede a point unless you've been completely outmaneuvered. Always defend your position and arguments to the best of your ability.
 * Do NOT stoop to the level of personal insult. Physical contact between opponents is strictly forbidden as is the launching of projectiles of any description. Points will be deducted for these offenses.
 * A time keeper will hold up cards to indicate how much time is left for both speeches and breaks. A grace period of 30 seconds overtime will be allowed, then the time keeper will call TIME and you must stop speaking. In Cross Ex, any question which has been asked within the time allowed must be answered, even if it runs overtime. The debater conducting the cross ex will cut off the answer when satisfied. Follow up questions are not allowed in overtime. Speeches which are very much under time will result in point deductions.

Judging and Grading
The audience will take notes on the debate, and vote to determine a winner. The teacher/judge will take notes on the debate, offer feedback after each debate, and determine grades for the debaters, on a rubric based on performance. Both teams can get As, both can get Fs. Both members of a team will receive the same grade. The first team to debate will get some extra credit, since they cannot benefit from the comments on other debaters.



Links
 * [|**Great Debates in American History**] --Succinct essays on major historical controversies