L-D FormatAffirmative Constructive - 3 minutes
Cross-Ex of Aff by Neg - 2 minutes Negative Constructive - 4 minutes Cross-Ex of Neg by Aff - 2 minutes Affirmative Rebuttal - 1 minutes Negative Rebuttal Speech /Summary & Conclusion - 2 minutes Affirmative Rebuttal Speech /Summary & Conclusion - 2 minutes 16 total minutes / 8 minutes each side Notice that the Affirmative has more speeches than the Negative, but both have the same total speaking time. |
Affirmative Constructive (3 minutes) / Negative Constructive (4 minutes)
Attention-getter to capture audience's attention.
Transition - connect your attention-getter to the topic
Position - what is your position on the resolution (affirmative or negative)
Contentions (or arguments) - tell the audience how many contentions you will provide in support of your position.
Clearly state each of your contentions
Support with reason and evidence - cite sources of information
Conclude effectively - summarize and provide a closing
- A catchy quote that relates to the topic and your position will capture most people if it is effective enough. Try to pick a quote that you think you would want to hear if you were the judge.
- An analogy. Think of it this way. If you were debating about nuclear weapons you could say: Evil is to people as nuclear weapons are to immorality. We don't want either of them to exist, but they do. That one is weak I admit, but it gives you a chance to develop your own.
- A statistic or fact. If you were doing a speech about guns and the protection of society, you might say: Every minute of every day of the year 50,000 people WILL DIE! This would capture attention of anyone with a heart. They will realize WHAT A BIG PROBLEM!!!! They will definitely listen.
Transition - connect your attention-getter to the topic
Position - what is your position on the resolution (affirmative or negative)
Contentions (or arguments) - tell the audience how many contentions you will provide in support of your position.
Clearly state each of your contentions
Support with reason and evidence - cite sources of information
Conclude effectively - summarize and provide a closing
Cross-Examinations (2 minutes)
Listen to your opponent's case and take notes.
Ask questions – don't make statements.
Have a strategy or at the very least a direction to your questioning. Try to point out weaknesses or inconsistencies in your opponent's contentions.
Be courteous
Face the audience when speaking.
Ask questions – don't make statements.
Have a strategy or at the very least a direction to your questioning. Try to point out weaknesses or inconsistencies in your opponent's contentions.
Be courteous
Face the audience when speaking.
Rebuttal / Summary & Conclusion
Keep track of the arguments made against you by your opponent.
Address each of them and restate your key points/evidence
Explain why you should win the debate - not because your opinion is "right" but because you supported your side better.
Provide a closing - connect to the topic / opening.
Urge the judge to vote "affirmative" or "negative"
Address each of them and restate your key points/evidence
Explain why you should win the debate - not because your opinion is "right" but because you supported your side better.
Provide a closing - connect to the topic / opening.
Urge the judge to vote "affirmative" or "negative"
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Debate Groups
Debate Group 1 |
Debate Group 2 |