PUBLIC FORUM DEBATE

 

1. Public Forum Topic (for the November Tournament)

We will use the Nov-Dec Public Forum Topic as posted at: Topics | National Speech & Debate Association (speechanddebate.org)

 

2. Public Forum Debating Times

When the rooms get posted, then debaters go to their debates and begin immediately.

Beginning of the Debate: Debaters are required to share their google drive/dropbox/one drive for sharing evidence and to test sharing.

On Zoom (Friday online) demonstrate you can share files in the Chat.

Shared evidence may not be used in debates by the team receiving the evidence.

4 min. prep. during the debate for each team to use as they choose before their speeches or before crossfire (NOT during a speech nor during crossfire). No prep time prior to the debate.

 

Each debater gives 2 speeches and engages in 1 crossfire plus the grand crossfire.

·                1 Pro Constructive: 4 minutes, present pro case

·                1 Con Constructive: 4 minutes, present con case

·                Crossfire (questions) 3 minutes between 1 Pro and 1 Con

·                2 Pro Rebuttal: 4 minutes, refute con case

·                2 Con Rebuttal: 4 minutes, refute pro case

·                Crossfire (questions) 3 minutes between 2 Pro and 2 Con

·                1 Pro Summary: 3 minutes, defend pro case and/or address key points of clash

·                1 Con Summary: 3 minutes, defend con case and/or address key points of clash

·                Grand Crossfire (questions) 3 minutes among all debaters

·                2 Pro Final Focus: 3 minutes, give reasons from previous speeches to vote for pro

·                2 Con Final Focus: 3 minutes, give reasons from previous speeches to vote for con

 

 

3. Public Forum Debating Rules—READ THEM, THEY ARE UNIQUE

·       Debaters can participate from ages 10 to 18 or by permission from Jim Hanson.

·       We do make an effort to separate out teams by grade level and experience but can’t guarantee that.

·       Pro teams of two debaters (1Pro debater and 2Pro debater) defend the topic.
Con teams of two debaters (1Con debater and 2Con debater) reject the topic.

·       Con teams cannot run counterplans; they must discuss the topic/the current policies.

·       Speaker Duties:
1Case Speeches: Present Case. Do not respond to opponent’s case in this speech except minimally.
2Rebuttal Speeches: Respond to your Opponent’s Case.  Do not respond to responses to your case except minimally. 
1Summary Speeches: Defend Your Case/Crystalize. Do not respond to your opponent’s case except minimally. 
2FinalFocus Speeches: Address Key Arguments and Weigh.
WE DO NOT WANT PF DEBATERS SPREADING TO HIT BOTH CASES IN THEIR SPEECHES—DO NOT DO THAT. ONLY THE FINAL FOCUS DIRECTLY ADDRESSES BOTH CASES IN THEIR SPEECH.

·       Debaters use prepared materials in their debates. Debaters may/should use printed materials and/or laptops during the debate.

·       You may also access the internet including during the debate (but you CANNOT communicate with any person including a coach or parent unless it is an emergency).

·       No POIs, No heckling.   No Coin tosses.

·       Debaters may speak to teammates who are speaking BRIEFLY AND RARELY and can pass notes or text messages/chat. Remember, interrupting your debate partner can hurt their debating—do it at most once or twice during an entire speech and only in urgent situations.

·       Use your own flow paper.

·      Coaching help prior to the debate is fine but the debate starts on time. No coaching during the debate.