Expectations:

• Be prepared - you should have your presentations ready.
  • They should be researched. They should include facts and the sources.
  • They should be structured with an introduction highlighting the key points, a body providing detail, and a summary recapping key points.
  • The presenter should have notes or a script.
• Be respectful - you should show your opponent respect.
  • Listen quietly while they present.
  • Take notes of questions you want to ask.
  • Ask questions in a passionate, but polite way.
  • Shake hands at the end of questioning.
• Be a good sport - play hard, accept the outcome.
  • Follow the rules, and the spirit of debate.
  • Try your hardest to defend your assigned position, whether you believe it or not.
  • Respect the judges rulings at all times.
  • Accept the result of the debate for the judges.
  • When it is over, we are all still friends. Don’t let strong feelings carry over.

Debate Format - 30 minutes

3 minute Affirmative presentation followed immediately by 1 minute questioning by Negative

3 minute Negative presentation followed immediately by 1 minute questioning by Affirmative

3 minute Affirmative presentation followed immediately by 1 minute questioning by Negative

3 minute Negative presentation followed immediately by 1 minute questioning by Affirmative

5 minute Work Period

2 minute Rebuttal by Negative

2 minute Rebuttal by Affirmative

5 minute Tallying of Ballots/Announcement of Winner

Debate Procedure

Presentations are your team’s opportunity to inform the judges, construct an argument, and support that argument with research.

• You should speak to the audience, not to the opposition.
• You may reference specifics from the opponent’s argument, but do not focus on it. Save that for questioning and rebuttal.
• Structure your presentation into an introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Include the Debate topic in your introduction, exactly as it is worded.
• Stop talking as soon as time expires.

Questioning is your opportunity to poke holes in your opponent’s argument.

• Questions should be jotted down (quickly) as the opponent presents.
• Questions must relate to something presented.
• You may (and should) clarify the opponent’s position before questioning deeper.
  • “In your presentation, did you state that a scientist believes Oscar’s grouchiness may be related to zinc poisoning from his galvanized can?”
  • “Yes…”
  • “Are you aware of a 2012 study that discredited that scientist by proving Oscar's can to be stainless steel and therefore zinc-free?”

Answering questions is your opportunity to defend the validity of your argument.

• Answers should address the questions, fully, but no further.
• Any question related to your presentation should be answered.
• Once answered, the questioning team may interrupt you with the next question.

Rebuttal is your opportunity to refute information put forth by the opponent.

• You may NOT present new information in this section. You should only address flaws and inaccuracies in your opponent’s arguments.
• Begin each point by explaining which opponent point you are refuting.

“When my opponent stated that Octopi are nature’s best jugglers because they have 8 arms, they ignored the fact that Octopi are underwater and juggling balls float.”