Debate Team
Buffalo Public Schools Department of Social Studies Interscholastic Debate Program Guidelines for Judges 2011- 2012 Rationale Debating has long been a vital part of American education. Training in debate improves valuable analytical and speaking skills, and enables the discussion of important issues, whether scientific, historical, or political. It contributes to the intellectual and ethical development of its participants by challenging them to make defensible judgments in which they must critically investigate complex issues, question given assumptions, evaluate the reliability of data and consider alternative perspectives. Debate stimulates and refines communication skills that empower individuals to speak for themselves, to discover and use their own voices. 1st Debate October 21, 2011. 2nd Debate December 9, 2011. Resolution I: “Let it be resolved that the U.S. Military should have the right to assassinate individuals perceived as a threat to national security, in foreign countries, without a formal declaration of war.” 3rd Debate February 10, 2012. 4th Debate April 20, 2012. Resolution II: – “Let it be resolved that the primary function of a prison is to serve as a means to provide punishment for criminals rather than rehabilitation.” The actual debate will take approximately 90 minutes. 10:30 am – 12:00 am Introductory Statements 30 minutes Preparation Period 5 minutes Cross-Questioning 30 minutes Preparation Period 5 minutes Closing Remarks 10 minutes Total 90 minutes Please arrive 15 minutes early for briefing with the moderator.
Debate Rules: 1. There will be four regular season debates during this year, each debate will be held at a neutral site. 2. The moderator should not identify either team until the debate ends. 3. The moderator can not involve himself or herself in matters of interpretation of the topic. 4. The timekeepers are to sit in the front row and inform speakers of the time by using large numbered cards. 5. The audience is to be made up of no fewer than 15 and no more than 50 students. Students must be familiarized with the purpose and rules of debate before being allowed to serve as members of the audience. Debates will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will last approximately 90 minutes. No student may leave or be admitted late. 6. Each debate team will consist of three speakers and one alternate. 7. Debaters, coaches and moderator are to guard against mentioning the name of the school of either team in order to maintain neutrality. 8. Each team should prepare and display numbers “1”. “2”, and “3” signs to designate speakers and an “Affirmative/Negative” sign to flip appropriately at each other. 9. In case of a tie, the team with the best overall speaker wins. Debate Sequence Introductory Statements 30 minutes Each member of the debate team will make a formal introductory statement. Beginning with the affirmative, speakers will alternate between affirmative and negative teams. Debaters are to stand for presentation of introductory statements. Visuals are allowed during any phase of the debate. Preparation Period 5 minutes The cross-questioning period, governed by the chair, will consist of questions and answers presented in the alternating fashion, beginning with the negative. Cross-Questioning 30 minutes Each debater may use a maximum of five minutes to ask questions of the opposing team. - Each debater may direct his or her questions to any individual or to the entire team.
- Debaters are not allowed to speak, formally or informally, to team members. However, written assistance may be passed to the debater from his or her team members.
- If the questioner agrees, the debater being questioned may refer his or her question to a teammate.
- The questioner may use a quotation or make a statement as part of the question as long as he or she makes these remarks clearly as part of the question.
- It is deemed permissible for the questioner to limit the response of the debater being questioned when the answer is deemed sufficient. However, cutting off with “Never Mind” or a sarcastic “Thank you” is not allowed.
Preparation Period 5 minutes Closing Remarks 10 minutes Each team will have five minutes for a closing statement and/or rebuttal. The statement may be made by any member of the team, beginning with the negative. No new topic can be introduced during the summation. Five points will de deducted from the score of a team which violates this rule and added to the score of the opposing team. Debate Scoring Sheet Affirmative Team | Speaker # | Argument 4 Multiple, interesting arguments 3 More than one clear, relevant argument 2 One clear, relevant argument together with muddled thinking 1 Few arguments, marginal relevancy, unclear | Persuasiveness 4 All arguments were logical and convincing 3 Most arguments were logical and convincing 2 Some arguments were logical and convincing 1 Few arguments, were logical and convincing | Rebuttal 4 Addressed all opponents arguments with counter evidence 3 Addressed most of opponents arguments with counter evidence 2 One clear, relevant argument together with muddled thinking 1 Few arguments, marginal relevancy, unclear | Questioning 4 All questions were logical and convincing 3 Most questions were logical and convincing 2 Some questions were logical and convincing 1 Few questions, were logical and convincing | Speaker Total | | 1 | | | | | | | 2 | | | | | | | 3 | | | | | | | Summation: 2 - Richly supports team argument with no new information 1 - Minimally supports team argument or includes new information | | Team Total | Negative Team | Speaker # | Argument 4 Multiple, interesting arguments 3 More than one clear, relevant argument 2 One clear, relevant argument together with muddled thinking 1 Few arguments, marginal relevancy, unclear | Persuasiveness 4 All arguments were logical and convincing 3 Most arguments were logical and convincing 2 Some arguments were logical and convincing 1 Few arguments, were logical and convincing | Rebuttal 4 Addressed all opponents arguments with counter evidence 3 Addressed most of opponents arguments with counter evidence 2 One clear, relevant argument together with muddled thinking 1 Few arguments, marginal relevancy, unclear | Questioning 4 All questions were logical and convincing
Mr. James Healy's Historyhead
Room 256
450 Masten Ave. Buffalo 14209
716.816.4220 716.851.3863 (fax)
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