PUBLIC FORUM DEBATE is two-person team event specifically designed to persuade a typical American citizen. A newsworthy topic called a resolution is debated.
WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING TO THE DEBATE ROUND:
- Paper and a pen to take notes during the debate and fill out the ballot afterward.
- A timing device. Although most debaters have their own timers, some will ask you for time signals.
- An open mind – even if you have very strong opinions or knowledge about the resolution, you MUST judge the debate only on the arguments made during the round.
BEFORE THE ROUND BEGINS:
- Find out the exact wording of the resolution and write it across the top of the ballot.
- Read and follow any instructions on the ballot.
- A coin is tossed, and one team calls heads or tails. The winner of the coin toss chooses to either to choose their side (Pro or Con) or to speak first or second. The other team chooses the remaining option. Ex: High School A wins the coin toss and chooses to debate the Con side. This means High School B is left with choosing to speak first or second.
- Only after the sides and speaking order is determined should you fill out the ballot. Always put the first speaking team on left side of the ballot. You can also have them sit on your left hand side to make it easier to remember which team is which.
- When the ballot is filled, you might want read it aloud to make sure it is correct.
JUDGING THE ROUND:
- You are in charge of timing the round. The speaking order and times are at the bottom of this page and should also be printed on the ballot.
- Take notes during the round (called flowing the round) so you can remember the major points (contentions) made by each side, and how the other side responded to those contentions.
- You should not ask questions or otherwise interrupt the round.
- The debaters should conduct the round with the upmost civility towards each other and the judge.
- Evaluate the teams on the quality of arguments made – not on personal beliefs and not on the arguments you think each side should have made.
- Effective persuasion requires credible, unbiased, quality supporting evidence, and the use of logical argumentation.
- Although effective communication is important, PF is not a speech contest. Excellent speakers can be awarded high speaker points, but should not be awarded the win unless they have proven their case.
- In choosing the winner, pretend you have no knowledge or opinions on the topic and decide which team did the better job of convincing you their side was correct.
AFTER THE ROUND:
- Pay close attention to the side that each team debated and which spoke first and last. This is very important so that you give the win to the correct team.
- Debaters may ask for critiques at the end of the round, you may give them a few quick suggestions if you feel comfortable doing so.
- Assign speaker points ranging 20 – 30. You should only give below a 24 for a very unprepared or extremely uncivil team. A 29 or 30 would be given to only the most outstanding debaters.
- Fill out your ballot per its instruction. Try to write something educational and encouraging for each side, give a clear reason for your decision, sign it and turn it into the judge’s table.
SPEECH ORDER & TIMES:
Speaker 1 (Team 1).....................................4 minutes
Speaker 2 (Team 2).....................................4 minutes
Crossfire between Speaker 1 & 2*...........3 minutes
Speaker 3 (Team 1)....................................4 minutes
Speaker 3 (Team 1)....................................4 minutes
Speaker 4 (Team 2)....................................4 minutes
Crossfire between Speaker 3 & 4* .........3 minutes
Speaker 1 Summery....................................2 minutes
Speaker 2 Summery ...................................2 minutes
Grand Crossfire between all Speakers*....3 minutes
Speaker 3 Final Focus ...............................2 minutes
Speaker 4 Final Focus ...............................2 minutes
Each side gets 2 minutes of prep time
*The first question is always asked by the first team
