All competitors will, over the course of the day debate both sides of a policy resolution which will be released the morning of the debate shortly after the close of registration (see schedule). We will supply each debater and judge a packet of information and articles (approximately 10 to 12 pages) relevant to the resolution. Debaters will have one hour to work together in teams/schools with the packet before the rounds of debate begin to prepare their cases. However, once the resolution is announced debaters cannot access any other research materials other than the prepared packet – any use of the internet to conduct research can result in disqualification. Thus, teams have access to exactly the same information, so the debates will be assessing how well debaters can work with the given information to produce & defend cogent, persuasive arguments on both sides of the issue. After the one hour preparation period, the debate competition will begin with each team debating both sides of the resolution. The first two rounds will be assigned (one round on each side) – on the
third round the side will be decided in the room by coin flip if there is not mutual agreement.
Schedule of Events
| 10:00 – 10:30 am | Registration in Clark Math/Science Lobby (Food available in dining hall) |
| 10:55 am | Distribution of the packets to debaters in Gilchrist Auditorium (near registration in Clark Science Lobby) along with a reminder of guidelines and rules for team preparation) |
| 11:00 am – 12:00 pm | Debaters use the packet to prepare their cases working in classrooms of Clark (each school will be assigned one classroom where the group prepares with the packet) |
| 11:00 am | Judges’ meeting in Gilchrist Auditorium (near registration in the Clark Science Building) |
| 12:00 pm | Schedules of the rounds of debate distributed to debaters in the Rooms of Clark |
| 12:15 pm | First Round of Debate (A teams on Aff, B teams on Neg) |
| 1:30 pm | Second Round (B teams on Aff, A teams on Neg) |
| 2:45 pm | Third Round (coin flip decides sides) |
| 4:00 – 4:45 pm | Supper available in the Loomis Dining Hall |
| 4:55 – 5:05 pm | Awards Ceremony and Distribution of Results in Hubbard Auditorium |
Format of the Debates
In both the Novice and Advanced divisions the format of the debates will be 6-minute constructive speeches, 3 minute cross examinations, and 4-minute rebuttals.
| first affirmative constructive speech | 6 mins. |
| cross examination by second negative | 3 mins. |
| first negative constructive speech | 6 mins. |
| cross examination by first affirmative | 3 mins. |
| second affirmative constructive speech | 6 mins. |
| cross examination by first negative | 3 mins. |
| second negative constructive speech | 6 mins. |
| cross examination by second affirmative | 3 mins. |
(Recall that there can be no new lines of argument presented in the rebuttal speeches.) |
|
| first negative rebuttal | 4 mins. |
| first affirmative rebuttal | 4 mins. |
| second negative rebuttal | 4 mins. |
| second affirmative rebuttal | 4 mins. |
The affirmative side has an obligation to define the terms at the start of the debate, but, of course, in a way that allows for good debate to take place. Since this is most likely a policy change debate the affirmative case should include a sketch of a plan to implement that change. For a more complete discussion of affirmative and negative responsibilities please refer to the judging overview.
Please note, again, that the tournament is a switch-side tournament, meaning that over the course of the day each 2-person team will debate on both sides of the resolution. Each 4-person team will consist of one 2-person team which debates the first round on affirmative and the second on negative, and another 2- person team which debates the first round on negative and the second on affirmative. Sides for the third round will be decided by coin flip.