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The Structure of A Debate

This document outlines the structure and purpose of speeches in a debate. It describes the order and time limits of speeches for both the affirmative and negative sides. The affirmative gives a 6-minute opening constructive speech, followed by a 3-minute negative cross-examination. Then the negative gives a 7-minute constructive/rebuttal speech. Both sides continue questioning and responding to each other within their allotted time limits, rebuilding and attacking arguments until the final 3-minute affirmative rebuttal speech. The document also provides guidance on formulating an effective debate case, including choosing a value premise, criterion, main points backed by evidence, and an engaging opening.

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Joscelle Joyce Rivera
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127 views12 pages

The Structure of A Debate

This document outlines the structure and purpose of speeches in a debate. It describes the order and time limits of speeches for both the affirmative and negative sides. The affirmative gives a 6-minute opening constructive speech, followed by a 3-minute negative cross-examination. Then the negative gives a 7-minute constructive/rebuttal speech. Both sides continue questioning and responding to each other within their allotted time limits, rebuilding and attacking arguments until the final 3-minute affirmative rebuttal speech. The document also provides guidance on formulating an effective debate case, including choosing a value premise, criterion, main points backed by evidence, and an engaging opening.

Uploaded by

Joscelle Joyce Rivera
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Structure of a

Debate
Purpose of the Speeches
• 6 minute affirmative constructive:

This speech is prepared ahead,


rehearsed, and should be perfectly
times. It is a presentation of the
affirmative’s position and establishes
his/her stance.
Purpose of the Speeches
• 3 minute negative cross examination:

The negative asks for clarification, asks


for repetition of certain points, and
tries to set up the affirmative to
admit damaging information.
Purpose of the Speeches
• 7 minute negative constructive/rebuttal:

This speech really has two parts: the


first part is a written, rehearsed
speech that builds the negative case
and is about four minutes long. In the
second part, the negative must attack
his/her opponent’s points. The attack
takes the last three minutes.
Purpose of the Speeches
• 3 minute affirmative cross examination:

Now it’s the affirmative’s turn to


question the negative, asking for
clarification and trying to lead
him/her down an ivy-covered path to
destruction.
Purpose of the Speeches
• 4 minute affirmative reconstructive/rebuttal:

The affirmative doesn’t have much


time here, so she/he has to talk fast.
She/he must go down the flow of the
argumentation, hitting any arguments
against his/her own case and then
attacking each of his/her opponent’s
arguments. Rebuild and attack.
Purpose of the Speeches
• 6 minute negative reconstructive/rebuttal:

This speech has three parts, rebuild,


attack, and crystallize. About two
minutes to rebuild any arguments
against the negative’s own case, two
minutes to attack the affirmative, and
two minutes to summarize the voting
issues for the judge.
Purpose of the Speeches
• 3 minute affirmative reconstructive/rebuttal:

This is a very short speech—time only


to argue the most important points,
attack the negative’s voting issues,
and crystallize the affirmative’s own
voting points.
Formulating the Debate Case:
• EXAMPLE RESOLUTION: A CHEESEBURGER OUGHT TO BE
VALUED ABOVE SPAGHETTI.
•  
• STEP ONE: The entire debate is a test of the
validity of this statement. Therefore, wording
and semantics are crucial. Each important word
must be defined from different angles.
Formulating the Debate Case:
• STEP TWO: Each debate will center on a value that you
choose as the cornerstone of your position. This is called a
value premise. This is the yardstick you will use to measure
the value of your argument:
•  
• What are some good value premises for the resolution above
for the affirmative and negative?
• Affirmative:
• Negative:
•  
• Then, you have to establish the criterion you use to achieve
your value.
•  
• If you value premise for the above resolution was “Nutrition,”
what would a good criterion be?
Formulating the Debate Case:
• STEP THREE: State arguments as main points (you will need two or three).
Examples of the resolution:
•  
• The Cheeseburger affirmative might be:
• Value: _____________________________
• Criterion: ___________________________
• Contention One:
•  
• Contention Two:
•  
• Contention Three:
•  
•  
• The Spaghetti negative might be:
• Value: ______________________________
• Criterion: ___________________________
• Contention One:
•  
• Contention Two:
•  
•  
Formulating the Debate Case
• STEP FOUR: Use credible evidence to back up each point.
•  
• STEP FIVE: Find a good opening for the speech.
•  
• STEP SIX: Time the speech so you make sure that you don’t go
over.

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