1. Public Forum Debate (PF)
Roland Zhang

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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 words
Order simply depends on coin toss
Note taking (flow)
Super important
Prep time

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. Thank you and hope you join PF!