1. Developed by Jenny Alme, The Harker School
WHAT IS POLICY DEBATE?
Pam have other suggestions for this?
Developed by Jenny Alme, The Harker School

2. Resolution
We have a national topic that hundreds of thousands of students across the nation use for debates.
The yearly topic, called the “resolution” is a statement of why the federal government ought to address a pressing issue. Past topics have included changing our foreign policy towards Russia, ocean conservation, protecting civil liberties, helping the homeless, immigration reform, and many, many others.
This year’s resolution is “The United States federal government should substantially increase its economic and/or diplomatic engagement with the People’s Republic of China.”
Language from Pam and Joe
Why slide – overall goal

3. Resolution
In every debate, two students propose a specific plan to enact the resolution and their two opponents argue that their plan is a bad idea.
Can you brainstorm a list of reasons why this year’s resolution might be good?
Language from Pam and Joe
Why slide – overall goal

4. Resolution
Debate is enormously creative and rewards hard work. You may have seen debates on TV where people shouted, ignored counter arguments, or seemed to be in a contest about who could attack the other person more effectively. Debate tournaments are not like this at all. Students use a combination of logic, research, strategy, and persuasiveness to appeal to judges who are focused on substantive issues.
Language from Pam and Joe
Why slide – overall goal

5. WHAT DOES A DEBATE LOOK LIKE?
Two students from one school are assigned to be affirmative (they agree with the resolution) and two students from another school are assigned to be negative (they disagree with the resolution).
Debates occur in classrooms, in front of one judge and usually no audience.
Language from Pam and Joe
Why slide – overall goal

6. Affirmative vs. negative
The job of the affirmative is to prove that their proposal is a good idea. The job of the negative is to prove that the affirmative proposal is either a bad idea or does not fit under the resolution. The judge votes for whichever team does a better job of proving their point.
Being an eloquent speaker helps but debate has much more to do with winning substantive arguments than with oratory. You will use a combination of research, logic, and strategic moves to win your debates.
Language from Pam and Joe
Why slide – overall goal

7. Affirmative vs. negative
The core of debate is refutation. Debaters both make their own points and are responsible for responding to arguments made by the other team. This is what makes debate different from other speaking contests.
It is important to respond to each argument made by the other side point by point.
Language from Pam and Joe
Why slide – overall goal

8. Format for Refutation Step 1: “They say…”
Step 2: “But I disagree because….”
Then try to show that your argument is better because:
It’s better reasoned
It’s better evidenced
It has historical or empirical support
It has greater significance
Step 4: “Therefore….”
Language from Pam and Joe
Why slide – overall goal

9. Pam have other suggestions for this?