Debate Preparation Rules and Guidelines

The Rules! Following the Rules is important Please follow them or you can be disqualified and/or lose a debate Please follow them because it is the fair, right thing to do.

Preparation Time Rules YES YES Talk with your partners (message chatting is fine) Write down your arguments/flowsheet/script* *typed items not allowed in debates except for flowsheets and ADA reasons Look at case-response files you have (not allowed if it is an impromptu topic).

Preparation Time Rules NO NO No communication with anything or anyone else outside of your 3 partners and your files (no files if impromptu topic) That Means . . . No talking with friends, parents, coaches, other debaters No researching online, in books, etc.

Quiz on Preparation Time Rules Which of the below is okay? Your partner shares an argument in the chat. IS FINE Your parent gives you an argument idea. NO You talk with your partner about your third contention. IS FINE You get your typed out case on screen, ready to read for the debate NO.

Quiz on Preparation Time Rules Which of the below is okay? You write down responses on a sheet of paper that are the same responses in a prepared file you are looking at. IS FINE You research on the internet. NO You look at your prepared files for an impromptu debate. NO

During the Debate YES YOU CAN Use HAND WRITTEN notes prepared during Prep Time. Pass notes or text message/chat with your debate partners. Use an E-Flow (eg Google Spreadsheet) Quietly speak with your debate partners who are not speaking (not really possible over Zoom/Yaatly) AND A NOTE: When there is an impromptu topic for a debate, logic and reasons should be given just as much weight as a debater citing a study/statistic/fact.

During the Debate Rules NO YOU CANNOT! NO: Get help from coach(es) or parent(s) during the debate. NO: Speak to teammates who are speaking. NO: View nor use materials during the debate that were prepared before prep time. NO: Use materials on your computer/tablet/phone during the debate except for ADA reasons. Use handwritten notes ONLY and use your computer only for Yaatly. NO: Research during the debate NO: Heckling.

During the Debate POIs POIs (questions/short arguments) allowed in ALL speeches for the middle 3 minutes of the speeches. Each speaker must take two POIs except they do not take POIs requested less than 30 seconds after taking a POI.

Quiz on During the Debate Rules Which of the below is okay? You read the case you wrote before the tournament started. NO! Your friend, not on your team, passes a note to you with arguments to present. NO! You say outloud to your partner address the cost argument NO!

Quiz on During the Debate Rules Which of the below is okay? You ask a POI 40 seconds after a speaker took a POI. That s Fine You won t take a second POI. NO! You chat message your partners during the debate. That s fine You use your flowsheet notes to present your arguments. You prepared these flowed arguments in prep time based off your case files. That s fine EXCEPT IF ____________

Impromptu Debates You will get a topic right before the debate prep starts The topic should be on a subject you are HIGHLY likely to know about You will then have thirty minutes to prepare your case, think up responses, etc.! Remember that you are NOT allowed to use the internet NOR any case files/prepared materials during prep time.

During Prep Time Come up with arguments on your own No Internet. No Prepared ahead of time files You can use your own and your friends /family s experience You make logical arguments You can refer to books/articles you ve read Try to make your arguments (AREI), cases (problem- solution-impact or topic causes problem-impact) just like regular.

Impromptu Topics The impromptu topic will be a topic well known to nearly all middle school students including students from a variety of economic and social backgrounds and who may not live in the United States. The impromptu topic will not be a proverb/literary quotation/something the kids need to interpret. The topic should be clear on its face what the topic debate will be.

Example Impromptu Topics Cell phone benefits outweigh the harms Schools should have longer recesses Vampires are more of a threat than werewolves.

NOT Example Impromptu Topics It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest I go to than I have ever known. Too confusing/unclear Seattle schools should get a new superintendent. Too specific to Seattle not all participants live in Seattle Vacations in Hawaii are better than in the Bahamas. Not everyone has been to Hawaii or the Bahamas.

Questions? And now the topic is _________________ You have 30 minutes of preparation time. Begin now.