Public Forum
Should the government act?
PF is a debate format where teams of two debate against each other.
It frequently questions if a resolution should be enacted, not how it would be enacted.
Procedure: Prior to EVERY round and in the presence of the judge(s), a coin is tossed by one team and called by the other team. The team that wins the flip may choose one of two options: EITHER the SIDE of the topic they wish to defend (pro or con) OR the SPEAKING POSITION they wish to have (begin the debate or end the debate). The remaining option (SIDE OR SPEAKING POSITION) is the choice of the team that loses the flip. Once speaking positions and sides have been determined, the debate can begin. Note: In Public Forum Debate, a plan or counterplan is defined by the NFL as a formalized, comprehensive proposal for implementation. Neither the pro or con side is permitted to offer a plan or counterplan; rather, they should offer reasoning to support a position of advocacy. Debaters may offer generalized, practical solutions.
4 min Team A First Speaker
4 min Team B First Speaker
3 min Crossfire (Team A gets first question then take turns)
4 min Team A Second Speaker
4 min Team B Second Speaker
3 min Crossfire (Team A gets first question then take turns)
3 min Team A First Speaker Rebuttal
3 min Team B First Speaker Rebuttal
3 min Grand Crossfire (All 4 ask and answer, starting with Team A)
2 min Team A Second Speaker Final Focus
2 min Team B Second Speaker Final Focus
3 min Preparation time for each team. Used before a speech.
Public-Forum-and-Congressional-Debate-Textbook.pdf_userdocs_documents_PF_2014-15_Competition_Events_At_A_Glance.pdf