Debate Structure Template

Debate Format Prep with Your Teammates (4 min) Opening Affirmative Statement (2 min) Opening Negative Statement (2 min) First Affirmative Point (Total 2 minutes) Ø Gives the 1st point from the affirmative argument Ø While listening, 1st negative decides which point s/he will refute and writes it down Ø (Important: No counterargument yet--you will have a chance to refute the third negative point.) First Negative Point (Total 3 min) Ø Gives the 1st point from the negative argument (2 min) Ø Reports element from the affirmative argument, presents counterargument (1 min) Ø While listening, 2nd affirmative decides which point s/he will refute Second Affirmative Point (Total 3 min) Ø Gives 2nd point from the affirmative argument (2 min) Ø Reports element from the negative argument, presents counterargument (1 min) Ø While listening, 2nd negative decides which point s/he will refute and writes it down Second Negative Point (Total 3 min) Ø Gives 2nd point from the negative argument (2 min) Ø Reports element from the previous affirmative argument, presents counterargument (1 min) Ø While listening, 3rd affirmative decides which point s/he will refute and writes it down Third Affirmative Point (Total 3 min) Ø Gives 3rd point from the affirmative argument (2 min) Ø Reports element from the negative argument, presents counterargument (1 min) Ø While listening, 3rd negative decides which point s/he will refute and writes it down Third Negative Point (Total 3 min) Ø Gives 3rd point from the negative argument (2 min) Ø Reports element from the previous affirmative argument, presents counterargument (1 min) Final Counter Argument (1 minute) Ø The first affirmative speaker has a chance to make a counterargument in response to the last point from the negative argument. Break to Consult with Your Teammates (2 min) Crossfire (Open Q&A Session) (8 min) Ø During this time, you will have the chance to argue freely, raise questions that were not raised in the first part of the debate, and engage in a more open and spontaneous form of argument; a member of the negative team has up to one minute to ask a question, after which a member of the affirmative team has up to one minute to respond and then ask a question of his/her own; keep going in the same fashion until time runs out Break to Consult with Your Teammates (2 min) Closing Statements for Affirmative (2 min) Ø Has listened to all arguments -- summarizes the strongest points for the affirmative while pointing out the weaknesses of the negative Closing Statements for Negative (2 min) Ø Has listened to all arguments -- summarizes the strongest points for the negative while pointing out the weaknesses of the affirmative