Debate

JLHS Debate

James Logan High School Forensics offers the following debate events:

  • Congress

  • Lincoln Douglas

  • Policy

  • Public Forum

Current Debate Topics

Debate

Congress

Lincoln Douglas

Policy Debate

Public Forum

Debates at a Glance

Partner?

No

No

Yes

Yes

Topic Frequency?

Every tournament.

Every two (2) months.

Entire year.

Every two (2) months until January… monthly afterward.

What makes it different?

Recreates the United States Congress.

Debates morality and justice.

Debates specific policy and/or action.

Shortest speech times.

Student Congress

Congressional Debate

  • Individual debate.

    • Within a room of 10-18 competitors.

  • Simulation of the United States Legislative Process.

  • Given a series of Bills/Resolutions to research prior to the the tournament.

  • Students prepare both Affirmative & Negation cases and then select which position to support in the round.

  • A chosen student will act as Presiding Officer.

  • This event provides an excellent blend of delivery, research, and argumentation.

  • All competitors shall become well versed in Parliamentary Procedure / Robert’s Rules of Order.

Format

  • A legislative docket will either be set in advance by the tournament directors (GGSA League) or students shall vote to establish their own chamber docket (Invitational Competition).

  • Each speaker gives a three (3) minute speech, which is followed by a one (1) minutes cross-examination period from the student audience.

  • Affirmative and Negative speeches are alternated in a cycle.

  • Procedural success is determined at the end of debate on each topic based on whether your chamber votes to pass or fail the legislation.

  • Student speakers are ranked 1 - 10, with only ties for 10th place possible, to determine the top speakers in each chamber.

Lincoln Douglas Debate

Lincoln Douglas

  • One on One.

  • Referred to as a “Value” Debate.

  • Regards the constructs of morality and justice.

  • Arguments contain a framework of philosophy and ethics.

  • Topics change every two months.

Sample Resolution: “Resolved: Plea bargaining ought to be abolished in the United States.”

Format

  • Positive Speech: Affirmative Speech (6 minutes).

    • Cross Examination (3 minutes).

  • Negative Speech with Rebuttal (7 minutes).

    • Cross Examination (3 minutes).

  • Positive Speech: Affirmative Rebuttal (4 minutes).

  • Negative Speech: Rebuttal (6 minutes).

  • Positive Speech: Affirmative Rebuttal (3 minutes).

Policy Debate

Policy

  • Teams of Two.

  • One year resolution for the whole year on a U.S Policy.

  • Affirmative: Propose a plan that meets a resolution.

  • Negative: Offer reasons to reject that plan.

Sample Resolution: “The United States Federal Government should substantially curtail its domestic surveillance.”

Format

1st Affirmative Constructive (1AC)-8 min.

Negative Cross-Examination of Affirmative-3 min.

1st Negative Constructive (1NC)-8 min.

Affirmative Cross-Examination of Negative 3 min.

2nd Affirmative Constructive (2AC)-8 min.

Negative Cross-Examination of Affirmative 3 min.

2nd Negative Constructive (2NC)-8 min.

Affirmative Cross-Examination of Negative 3 min.

1st Negative Rebuttal (1NR)-5 min.

1st Affirmative Rebuttal (1AR)-5 min.

2nd Negative Rebuttal (2NR)-5 min.

2nd Affirmative Rebuttal (2AR)-5 min.

Prep Time (each team)-5 min.

Public Forum Debate

Public Forum

  • A two-on-two debate. (Teams of two).

  • New topic monthly.

  • Based on current events which include facts, policies, and standards.

  • Weigh the pros and cons with lots of evidence.

  • You have to be persuasive without being technical.

Sample Resolution: “Resolved: The United States is justified in using force to remove authoritarian leaders from power.”

Format

Team A Speaker 1 – Constructive 4 min.

Team B Speaker 1 – Constructive 4 min.

Crossfire 3 min - Speaker 1 from both teams alternate questions.

Team A Speaker 2– 4 min. Refuting the opposing side’s arguments

Team B Speaker 2– 4 min. Refuting the opposing side’s arguments

Crossfire 3 min- Speaker 2 from both teams alternate questions.

Team A Speaker 1 – Summary 3 min.

Team B Speaker 1 – Summary 3 min.

Grand Crossfire 3 min-Everyone participates.

Team A Speaker 2 – Final Focus 2 min. Why you win the round.

Team B Speaker 2 – Final Focus 2 min. Why you win the round.

Prep time- Both teams get 3 min.