WHAT IS PUBLIC FORUM?

Public Forum Debate is a team event that advocates or rejects a position

posed by the resolution. A central tenet of the debate is that the

clash of ideas must be communicated in a manner persuasive to the

non-specialist or “citizen judge”, i.e. a member of the American jury.

PUBLIC FORUM DEBATE IS:

-display solid logic, reasoning, and analysis

-utilize evidence but not be driven by it

-present a clash of ideas-counter the arguments of the

opponents (rebuttal)-communicate ideas with clarity,

organization, eloquence, andprofessional decorum

THE DEBATE SHOULD SHOW:

Public Forum is a unique debate form. While Policy Debate focuses

on a plan to solve the problem(s) posed by the resolution, and Lincoln

Douglas Debate focuses on the core value of the resolution, Public

Forum Debate focuses on advocacy of a position derived from issues

presented in the resolution, not a prescribed set of burdens.

PUBLIC FORUM DEBATETIMING SCHEDULE

(In the Following Order)First Speaker - Team A = 4 MinutesFirst Speaker - Team B = 4 Minutes

Crossfire = 3 MinutesSecond Speaker - Team A = 4 MinutesSecond Speaker - Team B = 4 Minutes

Crossfire = 3 MinutesSummary - First Speaker - Team A = 2 MinutesSummary - First Speaker - Team B = 2 Minutes

Grand Crossfire = 3 MinutesFinal Focus - Second Speaker - Team A = 1 MinuteFinal Focus - Second Speaker - Team B = 1 Minute

Prep Time (per team) = 2 Minutes

Judges evaluate teams on the quality of the arguments

actually made, not on their own personal beliefs, and not

on issues they think a particular side should have covered.

THE JUDGE:

Quality, well-explained arguments Debaters should use quoted evidence to

support their claims, and well-chosen, relevant evidencemay strengthen – but not replace – arguments.

Clear communication is a major consideration. Judgesweigh arguments only to the extent that they are clearlyexplained, and they will discount arguments that are toofast, too garbled, or too jargon-laden to be understood by

an intelligent high school student or a well-informedcitizen. A team should not be penalized for failing tounderstand his or her opponent’s unclear arguments.

WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR…?

The round starts with a coin toss; the winning team selects either: !

• The side (pro or con) they will argue! • The speaker order (begin the debate or give the last

speech).

THE COIN FLIP

• Intro (DEFINITIONS; EXPLAIN WHAT YOUR GOING TO TALK ABOUT)

• 3-5 Main Arguments• Conclusion

1ST & 2ND SPEECHES

• Expand on your topics

• Rebut your opponents speech.

SUMMARIES

• CLASH• BRING UP VAILD ARUGUMENTS.

• ASK QUESTIONS!!!!!!!• THIS IS YOUR TIME TO GET CLARIFICATION.

CROSSFIRE

During Final Focus, debaters should give a short statement on which

ideas were important and why their side should win the round. Judges

should not expect a debater to give a full summary of the entire round intwo minutes.

FINAL FOCUS

Resolved: The U.S. government should not require its citizens to have health insurance.

or

Resolved: The continuation of current U.S. anti-drug policies in Latin America will do more harm

than good.or

Resolved: On balance, the rise of China is beneficial to the

interests of the United States.