DebateDebateThe Essentials

Ariail, Robert. “Let the Debates Begin.” 18 Aug. 2008. orig. published in The State, South Carolina. 26 Sept. 2004. http://www.cagle.com/news/Debatesbeginning/main.asp

Debate DefinedDebate Defined

A regulated discussion of a resolution by two (matched) sides.

Formal or informal Policy Debate Lincoln-Douglas

Participants prepare and present speeches on opposite sides of the issue to determine who has the strongest argument.

THE BASICSTHE BASICS

Resolution/PropositionResolution/Proposition

A statement that recommends a change in policy. ◦Deals with a controversial question

◦Argued by the affirmative side.

◦Essentially, a call for change

Example ResolutionsExample ResolutionsResolved: The US federal

government should establish a policy substantially decreasing the rates of obesity related diseases in America.

Resolved: The US federal government should establish a policy requiring mandatory uniforms in all public schools

Policy DebatePolicy DebateTwo-on-twoEveryone agrees there is an issue

to be solved. Affirmative team argues for

change (how to fix it)Negative team argues against

affirmative team (listens for flaws in their plan)

Status QuoStatus QuoThe existing state of affairsThis is what the negative side

can argue:◦To keep things they way they are

now (because the AFF plan is worse than what exists)

Cross ExaminationCross ExaminationBrief period during which

participants directly question their opponent.◦Each team member will participate

in cross-examination during each debate.

RebuttalRebuttalLast speech for each team.Refutes and attacks the opposition’s

arguments.Summarizes own points.While a constructive speech builds

an argument, a rebuttal rebuilds or repeats the strongest points of the argument after it’s been attacked.

Each team chooses who presents this

Burden of ProofBurden of ProofAffirmative responsibility to show

need for change (because of harms) and to provide a method.

Because the affirmative side seeks the change from the status quo, it has the obligation to present arguments for why the change is necessary and possible.

SPECIFIC TASKS AND SPECIFIC TASKS AND INFOINFO

Debate FormatDebate Format

5 minutes each constructive speech

2 minutes cross-examination after each constructive

3 minutes each rebuttal

Affirmative SideAffirmative SidePresents the plan for change.Seeks the change offered in the

resolutionAlways begins and ends the

debateCovers all the stock issues

successfully to defend their plan

Stock IssuesStock IssuesHarmsInherencyPlanSolvencyTopicalityDisadvantages

PlanPlanThe affirmative side’s outline for

changeFive “planks” of a plan:

1. Mandates: What will be done?2. Administration: Who will do it?3. Enforcement: How will it be enforced?4. Funding: How will it be financed?5. Intent: We agree if we make the plan,

it will become law.

The affirmative team can come up with ANYTHING THEY WANT that is legal.

Negative SideNegative SideExplains why AFF plan is not

goodThree ways to do this:

1. May make problem worse or cause more problems than it solves

2. Can agree that there is a problem with status quo, but that there is a better way to solve it than AFF’s plan (create a counterplan)

3. Can argue AFF plan does not fit within framework of resolution

DeliveryDeliveryRelies on:

◦Use of voice◦Use of body

Should be the three Cs:◦Credible◦Confident◦Competent

Counterplan BasicsCounterplan Basics

Compete against AFF policyParts:

◦Text- explanation of what it does; just like AFF plan

◦Competition- explanation of why counterplan should be preferred over the plan

◦Solvency- explanation of how the counterplan fixes the affirmative problem

◦Net benefits- reasons why the counterplan is better than the plan