Public Forum Debate (PF) Roland Zhang

Generals Partner Debate Changing resolution (topic). YOU choose side (depending on your luck). A little shorter rounds First/Seconds speaker usually predetermined Evidence USUALLY Hot topics

Resolutions Topic of what you will be debating Presented with 2 options beforehand. (Majority vote.) Super diverse, some of last year topics: Resolved: Deployment of anti-missile systems is in South Korea’s best interest. Resolved: Resolved: On balance, the current Authorization for Use of Military Force gives too much power to the president.

Before rounds Each team MUST prepare at least a pro-con case. Cases setup with 1 “contention” or just a claim. Within that contention you need headline, argument, warrant, evidence and impacts. (Trump Ex.) Can be one of the most tedious jobs to do; help from: Me, other members of the team We get briefs every month, give us general topic knowledge and contention ideas. Work with your partner, research work hard, it will definitely pay off in rounds.

The coin flip Very unique to public forum Winner chooses EITHER speaker order or side they want to argue With balanced resolutions, second speaker is more appealing Last words, can’t be rebutted More prep with speeches because opponents case read first If you feel stronger with certain side, choose that side

Case read(1st) Very first speech- 4 minutes Should be completely pre-prepped Present your claims to both opponent and judge Should range from around 650-800 words Order simply depends on coin toss Note taking (flow) Super important Prep time

Debate (crossfires) 3 total cross fires. 1 with first speakers after case read 1 with second speakers after rebuttal 1 grand cross after Summary with both members of team Heated parts of round 1st speaker asks first question. Alternate afterwards Questions should point out flaws in opponents case/ trick them into saying something that hurts their own case.

Rebuttal (2nd) Third speech in rounds- 4 minutes Varies A LOT every single round The name says it all You are literally rebutting or roasting your opponents case If you are the second speaking team , you can defend your own case Blocks Made before rounds, pre made evidence/argument Super helpful

Summary (1st) /Final Focus (2nd) Tend to be hardest speeches to master in PF 2 min each Summary is the first speakers last speech Should narrow down debate, like a funnel speech Set up Final Focus Final Focus is last speech in round Tell judge why you won Base your points off of summary speech Speeches SHOULD correlate with each other

Conclusion PF is one of the less intensive debates (still extremely intense sometimes). Topics tend to be up to date and change monthly Fun and diverse revolution that invite clash More freedom to debaters Pretty structured layout, comes out being shorter, but lots of debating

Thank you and hope you join PF!