CS4000 Debates

Introduction

  1. You are experts who have been assembled to address a particular issue in debates that have been organized by the Congressional Research Service.
  2. Your audience is composed of congressional staff members who will be advising their bosses on policy decisions. Thus, the debates will be judged primarily on the cogency and relevance of the arguments rather than on technical debating skill.
  3. As in traditional debate, however, the affirmative side has the burden of proving its case. The negative must simply refute the resolution and need not propose any action on its own.

Learning Objectives

  1. Present and structure a coherent oral argument
  2. Learn how to debate a point using logic and factual citation
  3. Learn how to prepare arguments for both sides of an argument.

Grading

The debate is mandatory (you must participate in one to pass the class). You will be graded primarily on how well you presented your argument, the quality of your research and preparation, and your presentation skills.

Debate Mechanics

  1. A debate team should consist of four people.
  2. All members of the debate team must participate (speak). A single member of the team should take each segment.
  3. A coin flip prior to the start of the debate will determine which team has the affirmative and which has the negative.
  4. The debate format will be as follows:
      5 minute opening from affirmative
      5 minute opening from negative

      4 minute rebuttal from affirmative
      4 minute rebuttal from negative

      4 minute rebuttal from affirmative
      4 minute rebuttal from negative

      4 minute closing from affirmative
      4 minute closing from negative

      10 minute Q & A period from audience/panel

      Audience evaluation: feedback form and vote from the audience.

Additional Submission

Each group must submit a 3 page document before the start of the debate.
  1. 1 page outlines the argument for the affirmative side.
  2. 1 page outlines the argument for the negative side.
  3. 1 page cites the references searched.

Suggestions for Debating

  1. You have to be prepared to argue both sides. This means that your team must have researched both sides extensively from good reputable sources.
  2. Listen very carefully to your opponents.  Rebuttals are only as strong as your ability to undermine their arguments with evidence or carefully constructed counterarguments of your own.
  3. Arguments should be made from logical constructions, almost like a mathematical proof. You should avoid emotional argumentation, that is "I'm right because everyone knows that it's right."
  4. Arguments should be supported with expert opinions, gathered from your research. Also avoid citing sources that seem dubious or that are unsupportable unless they are personal anecdotes designed to create the foundation for a point.
  5. You will be cut off at the end of the time limit. This means that you need to practice timing your responses to ensure that you've made your argument within the time allowed. Otherwise the audience will be left hanging.
  6. The first and last impressions are most important. Make sure that you have good openings and closings for your debate.  Make sure your closing statements address the arguments of your opponents.
  7. Don't worry about getting every little bit of information out there. Your listeners will respond much better to clear argumentation. Speak slowly and clearly. This is very important to remember, especially under the stress of speaking in front of an audience. Speak for clarity not for volume.