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

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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

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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

Questions & Thank you! Saskatchewan Elocution and

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Member of SaskCulture - you have just participated in a Cultural Activity! 17