A N I N T R O D U C T I O N

COMPETITION DEBATES

DEBATE

• Debate is essentially the art of arguing a point, policy or proposition of value.• When participating in a debate, you must be:• Prepared• Researched• Able to argue either side of an issue. • Able to listen to, Flow, and attack an opponent’s (or

opposing team’s) argument.

DEBATE CATEGORIES

• Congressional Debate (House or Senate)• Lincoln/Douglas Debate (LD)• Public Forum Debate (PF)• Policy Debate (CX)

CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE

• Large group setting• Debaters write legislation that they feel will

better the world we live in.• At tournaments, you then argue for or against

legislation presented by competing schools.• You are evaluated by judges on your ability to

argue, to speak extemporaneously, understanding of parliamentary procedure and your overall participation

LINCOLN/DOUGLAS

• LD centers itself on a proposition of value, on what should be rather than what is.• One debater holds each side of the value.• The debaters should focus on logical reasoning

and general principles rather than propose a plan of action.• You may offer practical examples or solutions to

illustrate how the principle could guide decisions.

LD PROGRESSION

• Affirmative construction – Affirmative reads a prewritten case.

• Cross Examination – Neg asks Aff questions.• Negative construction – Negative reads prewritten

case and addresses problems with affirmative case.• Cross Examination – Aff asks Neg questions.• First Aff rebuttal – Aff addresses his and opp’s case• Neg Rebuttal – Neg addresses the Aff’s rebuttal,

and summarizes the round.• Second Aff rebuttal – addresses neg rebuttal and

summarizes the round.

PUBLIC FORUM

• Teams of two argue current events taken from the monthly headlines.• You are given a side (pro or con) on an issue.

PUBLIC FORUM PROGRESSION

• Speaker A—Constructive Speech (set up argument)• Crossfire (Question time between Speaker A)• Speaker B—Rebuttal (refute opposing argument) • Crossfire (Question time between Speaker B)• Speaker A—Summary (Explain your pos and opp. negs)• Grand Crossfire (All speakers final questioning)• Speaker B—Final Focus (Last opportunity to prove your

side is right and theirs is wrong)

POLICY DEBATE

• Works in teams• Propose a plan to solve the school year’s debate

issue (colonization of the moon)• Affirmative – Proposes a plan to solve the

problem.• Negative – Argues the problems with Aff plan.

POLICY PROGRESSION

Speech Time (high school) Time (college)First Affirmative Constructive (1AC) 8 minutes 9 minutes

Cross-examination of First Affirmative by Second Negative 3 minutes 3 minutes

First Negative Constructive (1NC) 8 minutes 9 minutes

Cross-examination of First Negative by First Affirmative 3 minutes 3 minutes

Second Affirmative Constructive (2AC) 8 minutes 9 minutes

Cross-examination of Second Affirmative by First Negative 3 minutes 3 minutes

Second Negative Constructive (2NC) 8 minutes 9 minutes

Cross-examination of Second Negative by Second Affirmative 3 minutes 3 minutes

First Negative Rebuttal (1NR) 5 minutes 6 minutesFirst Affirmative Rebuttal (1AR) 5 minutes 6 minutesSecond Negative Rebuttal (2NR) 5 minutes 6 minutesSecond Affirmative Rebuttal (2AR) 5 minutes 6 minutes