Public Forum Debate!! K. Derry Public Speaking, Rhetoric, & Debate

You will be able to… Display solid logic, lucid reasoning, and depth of analysis Utilize evidence without being driven by it Present a clash of ideas by countering/refuting arguments of the opposing team Communicate ideas with clarity, organization, eloquence, and professional decorum

What is it?  Clear and understandable to a “common” or community audience  Current issues  Convince people your side is the best side of the debate  Requires Research topics Prepare compelling arguments Skillfully present case Thinking on your feet

Rules  Team event  Starts with a resolution What you will be debating  Pro and Con team Pro is in favor of Con is against Coin toss Winner decides:  Take the pro or con side of the resolution  Or go first or second in the round

Speaking Order  Speaker 1 (Team A): 4 minutes Give arguments for or against the resolution  Speaker 2 (Team B): 4 minutes Give arguments for opposite side of Team A’s arguments Speak against arguments presented by Speaker 1  Crossfire: 3 minutes Argue directly with each other Ask & answer questions of each other

Speaking Order cont’d  Speaker 3 (Team A): 4 minutes  Speaker 4 (Team B): 4 minutes  Crossfire: 3 minutes

Speaking Order cont’d  Speaker 1 (Team A) Summary: 2 minutes  Speaker 2 (Team B) Summary: 2 minutes Restatement of case Arguments against what opponent presented

Speaking Order cont’d  Grand Crossfire: 3 minutes All 4 debaters Ask & answer questions Begins with Speaker 1 (Team A)  Final Focus Speeches: 1 minute Speaker 3, then Speaker 4 No new arguments  All teams have 2 minutes of prep time

Guidelines  Do not comment or distract your opponents while they are speaking  Keep your voice low during prep time  Be polite  Never make up evidence  Be on time (or early) for your rounds  Follow all posted tournament rules

Debate Partner  More listening than responding Think as you listen, creating responses to an opponent’s arguments, and predicting what an opponent might say next  Skills that complement each other Clear speaker Focused thinker Hard worker Organized Open to critical evaluation

Team Responsibilities  Speaker 1: Present the 1 st speech Conduct the 1 st crossfire Summarize the debate Participate in the Grand Crossfire Aid partner in rebuttal and Final Focus  Speaker 2: Aid the 1 st speaker in the first crossfire Present the 1 st rebuttal Conduct the 2 nd crossfire Participate in the Grand Crossfire Deliver the Final Focus

Team Responsibilities  First Speaker Must present very good first case  Second Speaker Able to argue persuasively at end of debate Should be better at speaking without preparation  Divide research duties

Resolution Analysis  Topics of national concern A just government should provide health care to its citizens. In matters of collecting military intelligence, the ends justify the means. The pursuit of scientific knowledge ought to be limited by a concern for societal good.

Types of Resolutions  Factual reality  Policy reality  Philosophical Comparing ideal situations

How to Approach a Resolution Resolved: Use of a cell phone should be prohibited while operating a motor vehicle.  Who is the actor or agent of the action?  What is the action?  What are the conditions of the resolution?

Who is the actor or agent? Resolved: Use of a cell phone should be prohibited while operating a motor vehicle.  Person, group, or government that must act  Government Ease of enforcing issue can be discussed

What is the action? Resolved: Use of a cell phone should be prohibited while operating a motor vehicle.  Prohibition (or ban) on cell phone use while driving  What are the arguments that can be made? Requires a means of enforcement

What are the conditions of the resolution? Resolved: Use of a cell phone should be prohibited while operating a motor vehicle.  Examine the “measuring words” Words that control the situation “should” = ideal “should” implies improvement  Broad interpretations “motor vehicle” Affects all drivers

Minitopic: Topic Analysis Resolved: Use of a cell phone should be prohibited while operating a motor vehicle. 1.Have a problem-solving session with your partner. 2.Read the resolution and break it down into words and phrases. 3.Brainstorm what the words and phrases mean. 4.Record your thoughts

Minitopic Analysis example  Use of a cell phone Talking (add 4 more)  Prohibited Legally forbidden (add 2 more)  Operating a motor vehicle Driving a passenger vehicle (car, van, bus, etc.) (add 3 more)

Topic Analysis: Prepare Main Arguments  Begin with pro side of the resolution What will draw a judge into supporting the resolution?  Safety! Using cell phones reduces automobile safety by shifting attention from driving Banning the use of cell phones will reduce driver distractions (4 more)

Topic Analysis: Prepare Main Arguments  Pro arguments that do not deal with safety issues Banning the use of cell phones will decrease people’s reliance on them. (add 2 more)

Topic Analysis: Prepare Main Argument  Con side can deal with issues of freedom and the problems the resolution might cause  Possible arguments: There is no evidence that using cell phones while driving causes accidents. Cell phones allow for quicker contact of emergency workers in case of an accident. (add 3 more)

Research and Evidence  Supports your positions  Makes it more than just your opinion  Primarily on the internet Wikipedia  A starting point Sweetsearch.com Use specific details in the search engine  Policy and factual issues

Using Research  Read it carefully Understand significance for argument Print out copies of the material  Highlight or underline key information that is important to your arguments Organize the material  Summary sheet: fact sheet List supporting evidence Include complete citation Use file folders with pro and con

Writing Your Case  Opening speech  Arguments in defense of your side of the debate  Definitions of important terms  Main contention (claim)  Arguments  Evidence to support  Establish what debate is about  Prove your position is the correct one

Writing Your Case  Three parts Introduction  States position on the resolution  Briefly presents the arguments Body  Main contentions Conclusion  Reviews points and arguments  Refers back to introduction  Enables you to stand your ground

Writing Your Case: Framing the Debate  First impression  Goal: convince judge your point of view is the correct one  Task: establish your case and present evidence that cannot be refuted by your opponent  What is important in the round Key: establish burdens of proof at the beginning of the round Requirement to prove an argued claim or charge is true

Example of Burden of Proof Resolved: That the federal government should be solely responsible for reconstruction in areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina.  Pro: in support of resolution Finances Local and state government, on their own, could not afford to rebuild Con needs to show why the federal government should not offer its funds  Con: place burden of proof on the pro to show why the federal government should be solely responsible for the rebuilding  Each side tells the judge what he should be paying attention to

Proving Your Case  If burden of proof is placed on you by opponent.. Prove the burden! Present the contentions and arguments that support your case Pro Side: state and local governments cannot handle the reconstruction  Not enough money in budgets  Be sure this is true: use research & evidence Budget of LA for reconstruction compared to estimated costs of rebuilding (cite your source)

Proving Your Case cont’d  Two-three contentions  Only 4 minutes to deliver initial case  Build case in logical order Tie in with each other  Remember: convince the judge Strong, logical case

Minitopic: Case Structure I.Introduction A.attention-getting story, quotation, or short joke related to topic B.Statement of your position on the resolution C.Brief statement of contention II.Contentions A.Contention one 1.Argument A with evidence 2.Argument B with evidence B.Contention two 1.Argument A with evidence 2.Argument B with evidence C.Contention three 1.Argument A with evidence 2.Argument B with evidence III.Conclusion A.Review contentions B.Restatement of position C.Reconnect to introduction

In the Round  The coin toss Consider:  Is one side of the topic more acceptable to citizen judges?  On which side is the team stronger?  On which side of the topic are the opponents stronger?  Is the 1 st speaker position critical to “sell” the case by making a good first impression?  Is the final focus speech critical for the last word to the judge(s)?  Are the opponents so effective in either the 1 st or last speaker position that your team needs to select speaker position rather than side?

Delivering the First Speech  Not read or spoken mechanically  Convey knowledge and understanding  Judged on content and delivery P--Poised: Stand up tall, and look relaxed and comfortable E—Eye contact: look the judge in the eye from time to time. This gives you a visual connection P—Plant your feet: continuous movement can look like nervousness

The Crossfire  Can be enjoyable  First question comes from first speaker  Focused  Control the direction by adding questions to your statements  Goal: get answers about opponent’s case, get them to admit you are correct, and provide judge with reasons to vote for you  Attack the ideas, not the opponent

Rebuttals, Summaries, Grand Crossfire, and Final Focus  Rebuttal: 4 minutes, 2 nd speech each team gives Part can be prepared in advance State exactly what you are refuting in your opponent’s case (signposting).  Describes each idea in your speech; make clear your ideas  Summary: arguments broken down to most important and relevant ones Examine only most important issues

Rebuttals, Summaries, Grand Crossfire, and Final Focus  Grand Crossfire: similar to previous crossfires Partners work cooperatively Share time to ask and answer questions  Final Focus: last speech in round Choose issues most important to round Present reasons for judge to select their team as winner Last chance to convince judge

Note Taking and Prep Time  Keep organized notes Can flow: tracking specific arguments and make connections  Prep time Two minutes total Use as needed Before crossfires, 2 nd speech, summaries Helps focus mind

Practice  Clear-cut interpretations of resolution  Well-explained, Related, and Established arguments  Clarity  Organization  Courteous and appropriate conduct  Arguments are clear, brief, provable, and to the point

Works Cited Kline, Jason. Public Form Debate. New York: Rosen Publishing.