Judges Briefing - Policy & Values Debates Policy vs. Values Debates Discussion Style Cross Examination Style Parliamentary Style Speech Rounds Bilingual Debate Impromptu Debate
*all styles and categories are not necessarily used at each tournament
Based on an original presentation by Dennis Nesseth, Yorkton Regional High School
Introduction Thank you - Schedule Are you qualified? Yes What are you supposed to do?
Watch the debate and pick the winning team
Give each debater a score based on how they spoke
Give some friendly, constructive comments 1
How a Policy Debate Runs Two teams facing off Affirmative team supports the
resolution (presents a problem, states needs for change, introduces a plan to solve the problem)
Negative team opposes the resolution (demonstrates that the affirmative case is flawed and the plan unworkable)
Today’s resolution: 2
How a Values Debate Runs Two teams facing off Affirmative team supports the
resolution (demonstrates true/false, right/wrong, good/bad, etc.)
Negative team opposes the resolution (demonstrates that the affirmative case is flawed)
Today’s resolution:
2v
Your Role Observe Change rooms if conflict of interest with
debater Write notes on ballot Let the moderator host the debate When students finish take time to complete
ballots privately Moderator will consult each judge for his /
her choice Make comments after Moderator
announces winner3
Fundamental Parts of Debate See ballot
4
Discussion style (green/yellow ballots) Grades 6-8 and Grade 9 Each debater speaks for 4 minutes (junior)
or 5 minutes (senior) After the four constructive speeches, there
is a 6 minute (junior) or 10 minute (senior) Discussion Period controlled by the moderator
One minute contributions, no speech making
Equal participation After, there is a break to prepare a rebuttal Rebuttal (3 minutes) 5
Cross-Examination - (blue ballots) Grade 10 students, those new to debate Courtroom Each debater speaks for 5 minutes then is
cross-examined for 3 minutes by an opposing debater (constructive, cross-x)
See cross-examination section on ballot Hard hitting questions, good answers, no
avoiding or browbeating After the four speeches and cross-
examinations, there is a break to prepare a rebuttal
Rebuttal (4 minutes) 6
Parliamentary Style (pink ballots) Generally experienced debaters Legislature/House of Commons Prime Minister speaks for 5 minutes, the
Opposition Member for 8 minutes, Government Minister for 8 minutes, Leader of the Opposition for 5 minutes constructively, then 3 minutes of official rebuttal, followed by the Prime Minister’s 3 minute rebuttal
Heckling and “role playing” is allowed Points of order/ Points of Privilege Questions 7
Affirmative Constructive Speeches - Policy First Affirmative
Introduces the debate States the resolution Defines the terms States the needs for change Introduces outline of the plan
Second Affirmative Clash, rebuild & strengthen Fully develops the plan
8
Affirmative Constructive Speeches - Values First Affirmative
Introduces the debate States the resolution Defines the terms States the needs for change NO PLAN NEEDED!
Second Affirmative Clash, rebuild & strengthen
8v
Negative Constructive Speeches - Policy First Negative
Challenge unfair definitions Clash with case Challenge evidence Clash with the plan Build negative case
Second Negative Clash, rebuild & strengthen Attack plan
9
Negative Constructive Speeches - Values First Negative
Challenge unfair definitions Clash with case Challenge evidence Build negative case
Second Negative Clash, rebuild & strengthen 9v
Plans & Counter-Plans Affirmative outlines plan in first
speech and completely describes it in the second
Addresses needs for change Negative strategies:
defend the status quo; or minor repairs; or counter-plans (first negative)
alternate plan - same end alternate plan - new goal
burden to prove better plan10
Evidence - Policy Accurate facts, statistics,
authorities offered in support of contentions
Thorough, relevant research Good analysis of the issues You may request
documentation if suspect fabrication of evidence
11
Evidence - Values Not as fact or evidence based
as Policy debates Opinion backed by research Thorough, relevant research Good analysis of the issues Good illustrative examples General knowledge Claims Fact vs. Fiction Impromptu Round 11v
Rebuttal Summary No new arguments, facts,
statistics Explain why team should win Point out their own strengths,
other team’s weaknesses Affirmative may directly
address new points in the negative’s last speech 12
How to Fill Out Ballot Please complete ballot
correctly and clearly Debaters’ names in right place Students will not see the ballot Write down significant points,
evidence, refutation Winning team does not have to
have the highest speaker points 13
1st
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Organization/strategy
Evidence
Delivery
Refutation
Cross-Examination
Do not ask what schoolthe debaters represent.
2. Please fill in the following information:
Judge's Name Ms. A. Judge Room 111 Round I
Affirmative: Smith/Jones(Government) last name/last name
Negative Brown/Green(Opposition) last name/last name
3. Enter the speakers' names in the orderthey will be speaking.
Ballot Front
14
Declare conflict of interest
Picking a winner No ties allowed Odd number of judges May need to select a senior or junior judge
(all judges submit speaker points) Choose winner based on presentation of
arguments, logic, evidence, and refutation Hard work, preparation, and research over
style Even a weak point stands if it is
unchallenged Leave personal opinions at the door When in doubt, go with your gut 15
Speaker Points Fill in names Speaker points are independent from win / loss (losing
team can have higher speaker points) Ranges (half marks allowed)
25 Impossibly perfect (0%) 24 Extraordinary / incredible (1.5 %) 23 Superlative, excellent (10%) 21-22 Very good (25 %) 20 Good (25%) 17-19 Average to Good (33 %) 15-16 Poor (4.5 %) 13-14 Very weak, unprepared (1 %) 12.5 and under Rude, violates rules (0 %) 16
Rule Violations Debaters have opportunity to register rule
violations DON’T PANIC Judges decide whether violation occurred,
is it serious? Did it affect outcome? Common rule violations:
Source, misquote New information in rebuttal Rudeness, personal attack (Zero tolerance) Disruptive Prompting 17
Giving Comments Constructive Encouraging Oreo cookie Watch the time and keep the
tournament on schedule
18
Speech Round After the third round of Debate, there will be a speech
round for all the debaters The same four debaters stay in the room, as do the
judges (unless otherwise instructed) The debaters randomly select a speaking order and
write it on the board Each competitor waits in the hall until their turn Debaters receive the topic during the supper break Juniors must speak for a minimum of 3 minutes,
maximum 5 minutes and Seniors 5 to 7 minutes Do not score the speakers until everyone is done Each speaker must receive a different score Follow the criteria on the ballot - 25% to each of
Content, Organization, Speech mechanics, Style 19
Bilingual Debate Same rules as Cross-Examination Minimum of 25% in one language Aiming for 50/50 Rebuttal in language least used Questions answered in language asked Use both languages to ask questions, but
not in the same question Quotes in either language allowed Watch for time used properly Judge on understanding and ability to
communicate rather than accent20
Impromptu Debate Resolution released either at supper break or
approximately 1/2 hour before the debate starts
Watch for how well the terms were interpreted or “linked” - they must be fair and debatable
Squirrelling is not allowed When squirrelling, debaters take the
resolution and fit it into a “canned” case - one that was prepared in advance
Plans may or may not be introduced All other rules of debate apply
21
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Member of SaskCulture - you have just participated in a Cultural Activity! 17