JUDGING PUBLIC FORUM DEBATE Find the PuFo in You!

WHAT IS PUFO? Two, two-person teams Debate a resolution of fact – such as: – That the current U.S. Middle Eastern policy has failed; – That single-payer health systems provide the most cost-effective medical coverage; – That global warming is man-made; – That U.S. law enforcement agencies are biased against people of color

MORE KINDS OF RESOLUTIONS OR, debate a resolution of value – such as: – That the First Amendment is more important than the Fourth Amendment; – That National Security concerns outweigh the right to privacy; – That increasing funding for mental health programs is more effective than building prisons; – Businesspeople make better ambassadors than diplomats

MORE KINDS OF RESOLUTIONS OR, debate a resolution of policy – such as: – That the U.S. should fund two years of post- secondary education for all Americans; – That private sector prisons should be abolished; – That the U.S. should contribute significantly more resources to fight ISIS; – That the U.S. should engage in strategic planning to counter global warming

PUBLIC FORUM BASICS Require teams to be prepared to debate both in favor of the topic (PRO) and against it (CON). Require that each team develop both a PRO case and a CON case. The topic changes every month, except for September/October, which share a topic.

A PUBLIC FORUM DEBATE ROUND Begins with a coin flip; winning team chooses EITHER the side to debate (PRO or CON) OR whether to speak first or second. The losing team ends up with the opposite side/speaking position of the winning team. CAREFUL! This is tricky. We are used to people who advocate in favor of an idea to speak first. In PuFo, often the CON side chooses to speak first.

PUFO SPEAKING ORDER CONSTRUCTIVE SPEECHES Team A’s 1 st speaker – 4 minutes Team B’s 1 st speaker – 4 minutes Crossfire (cross-examination) between Teams’ first two speakers – 3 minutes Team A’s 2 nd speaker – 4 minutes Team B’s 2 nd speaker – 4 minutes Crossfire between Teams second two speakers – 3 minutes

PUFO SPEAKING ORDER REBUTTAL SPEECHES Team A’s 1 st speaker – Summary – 2 minutes Team B’s 1 st speaker – Summary – 2 minutes Grand Crossfire (AKA “free for all”) amongst all four speakers Team B’s 2 nd speaker – Final Focus – 2 minutes Team A’s 2 nd speaker – Final Focus – 2 minutes

WHAT DO THE SPEECHES DO? CONSTRUCTIVES The first speaker on each team presents the team’s case. The case is usually in the form of several contentions or advantages which usually have some sub-structure Most cases should present evidence to back up their contentions/advantages Neither side may advocate a PLAN of any kind

WHAT DO THE SPEECHES DO? REBUTTAL SPEECHES In Summaries: Each side presents the most important issues it thinks it has won and explains why. Issues can be both from your side and your opponents’ side, i.e., we won our two contentions and beat one of theirs. In Final Focus: Each side explains to the judge why the judge should vote for his/her team.

FIRST PRO/CON SPEECHES Goal is for each side to define the debate on their terms. – Each side may offer an introduction – Each side may define terms or reject their opponents’ definitions – Each team should present independent reasons, backed by evidence, why you should adopt or vote against the resolution

SECOND PRO/CON SPEECHES Used to refute opponent’s case and rebuild your case May refute – Evidence – i.e., our evidence is more current, better sourced, more definitive than yours – Arguments – i.e. your arguments are not logical, they are not backed by evidence, you’ve reached incorrect conclusions

REBUILDING YOUR CASE Explain why your arguments are more effective than the opposition’s, based on quality of evidence, logic, reasonability and analysis. Explain why your arguments support your position, either for or against the resolution. Show any important arguments, evidence or contentions the other side has dropped.

SUMMARY SPEECHES Narrow down the most important arguments in the round for the judge. Choose and present your strongest arguments Show where your opponents have dropped or failed to respond to important arguments.

FINAL FOCUS SPEECHES Last chance to explain to the judge why your side has won and to pick up any argument you may have dropped. Emphasize your strongest arguments. Explain why these are the most important arguments in the round and why your side has won, based on logic, evidence and analysis. Turn your opponent’s arguments around

WHAT ARE CROSS-FIRES? Cross-fires are cross examination periods. The speakers generally trade off questions but sometimes, one speaker may dominate the session. CF should be used to clarify evidence, expand analysis of arguments, pose hypothetical questions. The Grand CF involves all four debaters.

PROCEDURAL INFORMATION Teams have 2 minutes of running prep during the round. New evidence may be introduced throughout the round, but, no new arguments may be made in the summary/final focus speeches. Debaters may use notes and/or their computers, BUT, no WiFi. No plans, no off-case arguments

ISSUES FOR JUDGES TO CONSIDER Which side had the most persuasive arguments? Which side supported those arguments best with evidence and analysis? Which side both supported its OWN case and argued successfully against the opposition’s case? Were speakers clear, understandable and well- organized?

MORE JUDGING ISSUES Do not vote for or against a team because you personally agree or disagree with their arguments. Remember they are required to debate BOTH sides. Do not vote against a team because you thought they should have made arguments that they did not make.

MORE JUDGING ISSUES Reward good organization. Consider the tone of the debate – was there a polite, constructive clash? While speaking well is important and can be rewarded, don’t penalize a well-organized speaker with great analysis and evidence because s/he may not be the smoothest speaker.

BALLOT CONSIDERATIONS Make sure you give speaker points – nothing below 25 unless the speakers were egregious. The winning team should have the most points/highest ranks. Ensure you have right team, right names, points/rank/decision matches

FINAL JUDGING CONSIDERATIONS Be patient – this is a new activity for you and for many of the debaters, too. Let debaters know you’re new to debate. Keep the round courteous and ethical!

ODDS AND ENDS Make sure the room is returned to its previous state. Make sure to get the ballot back to the tab room ASAP. If you have time and they want it, critique the debaters, but don’t reveal your decision.

FINALLY... Thank you for helping us, for helping your child and for helping other peoples’ children. Thank you for your attention, for the time and effort you’ve spent to help this tournament provide debaters with a fun learning experience in a safe environment. Let others know how much fun this is – both to attract new debaters and increased funding.