PF Debate

Overview:

Students in Public Forum debate in teams of two about a topic that changes every month. They are assigned sides randomly by a coin toss or by the tabroom. They typically structure their arguments in contentions supported with properly cited evidence. They engage in a "crossfire" period of questioning to further develop their argumentation. As judge you will listen and take notes and vote for the team who does the best job debating. Public Forum is a debate event specifically developed to promote communication with an engaged member of the community on a current topic affecting society. As judge, you will choose a winner and assign speaker points.

Foundational Resources

PF Guildelines
Sample Complete Ballot
Speaker Points Guide - Please keep most speaker points in the range of 26-30. Giving 25 points indicates that that individual debater was rude or made insulting comments to opponents, and the ballot table will likely ask you to explain why the points were so low. Please explain, in writing on the ballot, what merited the low points.
Student Perspective: PF Debate

PF Judge Training from National Speech and Debate Association

PF Debate Showcase

Structure of a Public Forum Debate Round

A Parent's Advice to Volunteer Judges

What is your Paradigm?

Debaters will often ask this question of judges so that they can better understand what a judge's expectations are for the round. A paradigm, in debate, is a statement about your beliefs and predispositions regarding the debate round. Many highly-qualified judges have lengthy and complex paradigms that debaters study prior to the debate round and use this information to adjust their speaking style and argumentation choices to match what the judge prefers. If you are new to judging, it is preferred that you share this with debaters either in an oral comment, if asked, or online by creating a paradigm on Tabroom. Those new to judging often give debaters helpful information like these items:

"This is the first time that I've judged this event."
"I'm a volunteer and I've read over some information about this topic and watched a demo video, but I'm new to judging."
"Please keep your delivery slow and clear. I appreciate clear analysis of why you should win in the final focus."

It can be very educational to read the paradigms of other debate judge who have posted a paradigm on Tabroom. After you've judged a few rounds and begun to develop your own viewpoint, you should post your paradigm as well. It is most important that you paradigm gives an equal chance for both Pro and Con to win, and is focused on creating an educational focus for all debaters.

What are Flights?

In Public Forum debate, each Round will typically be further divided into "Flight A" and "Flight B." If Round 1 is scheduled to occur at 2pm, then Flight A (between two teams of students) should occur at that time. Flight B (between two different teams of students) would occur about 45 minutes later. It is expected that the Flight B students would wait in the hallway until the Flight A round is finished. If you are judging flighted rounds, it is VERY important that you confirm the names and assigned sides of each student carefully.

Current Topic:

The topic for Public Forum changes monthly. Check the National Speech & Debate Association Current Topics page to confirm the exact wording you will see debated.

Watch a Demo Round

This narrated demonstration round will give you a model for adjudicating.

Helpful Tools

Online Timer

Grab this helpful tool to keep track of time.

CrossFire App

Download this app for timing your PF Debate Rounds.

Google Sites

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