Square-Off

Nursing DEBATE RULES

PARTICIPATION AND ELIGIBILITY

Team Composition and Selection.

A Team is composed of three (3) debaters.

DEBATE MECHANICS

1. There are two sides (called Affirmative and Negative) and three
debaters per side. The topic is announced a week before the debate.
The sides whether Affirmative or Negative shall be announced five
minutes before the start of the debate to prepare the debaters with
their arguments.

2. The burden of proof, while real, is much less significant in this debate
format. Because here, there are two cases on the floor – The most
compelling case wins. The affirmative does not carry a significant
burden. Each debater is given two minutes to interpellate (cross-
examine) the opposing debater. The teacher is also allowed to ask one
question of each debater.

3. There are three (3) arguments on both sides – Necessity, Beneficiality,

Practicability. Each debater has three (3) minutes to deliver a
constructive speech, rebut the speaker before him (except the First
speaker of the Affirmative) and discuss his assigned argument.

4. The first speakers argue on the necessity (affirmative) or non-necessity

(negative) of the case. The second speakers on beneficiality and the
third speakers on practicability (feasibility) of the case.

5. The first affirmative speaker must make the affirmative’s case crystal
clear. He must discuss the status quo and why their case is morally
justified.

6. The first negative speaker will be given two minutes to interpellate the
first affirmative. He must only ask categorical questions (answerable
by yes or no) and arrange these questions in a cross-examination style
to establish the weakness of the affirmative’s case and/or establish the
negative’s case.

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 7. He then has three minutes to clash with the points just made by the
first affirmative and to advance his argument that the affirmative’s
case is not necessary.

8. The first affirmative will then have two minutes to interpellate the first
negative speaker (also asking only categorical questions). He may use
this opportunity to rebuild his case and/or destroy the negative’s case.
9. The second affirmative has four minutes to clash with the opposition
case and to deliver his constructive speech on the benefits of adopting
their proposal. He will then be interpellated by the second negative
speaker for two minutes.

10.The second negative speaker then has three minutes of his time to
divide between clashing with the affirmative case and delivering his
constructive speech on the repercussions or harmful effects of
adopting the affirmative’s proposal. He will then be interpellated by the
second affirmative speaker for two minutes.

11.The third affirmative has threeminutes to clash with the opposition

case and to deliver his constructive speech on the feasibility of
adopting their proposal. He will then be interpellated by the third
negative speaker for two minutes.

12.The third negative speaker will then have three minutes of his time to
clash with the affirmative case and to deliver his constructive speech
on the impracticability of adopting the affirmative’s proposal. He will
then be interpellated by the third affirmative speaker for two minutes.

JUDGES

1. Students may act as judges.

2. Each judge is allowed to ask ONE categorical question (no follow-ups)

of each debater, either during his speech or as he is being
interpellated. The question and response must fall within the time
limits of the speech delivery or interpellation period.

COMPETITION COMMUNICATIONS

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 1. Only oral communications described in this Rules are permitted. In
particular, no written communication or exhibits may be delivered by
any Team Member to any judge.

2. Written communication during the debate round shall be limited to

written communication among Team Members seated at the table. No
other written communication may take place among the debaters,
spectators or Team Members not present at the table.

3. During a debate round, debaters at the podium and those seated at the
table may not operate laptop, cell phones, handheld or desktop
computers or any other computing device for any purpose.

MARKING OF DEBATERS

1. There are four evaluation criteria: Constructive Speech or Matter (40

points), Persuasive Skills or Manner (30 points), Interpellation (30
points).

2. The Matter mark is scored as if the speech was submitted in essay

form. It has everything to do with logic, preparation, arguments,
evidence cited, jurisprudence cited and analytic skill. It has nothing to
do with the presentation.

3. Teams are required to conduct research and prepare their speeches.

The formula is ARGUMENT + EVIDENCE = PROOF. An argument without
citing an evidence to support the same is a mere assertion and does
not merit any consideration.

4. As law students, the debaters are expected to use provisions of law

and relevant jurisprudence in support of their arguments. Judges
should also consider the quality of each argument and the relevance of
the cited authorities.

5. MANNER: Manner or Presentation is marked out of a possible 30

points and judged from a purely public speaking perspective: How did
the debater actually deliver the speech? Was the tone correct? The
rate of speech? The pitch? The pauses? The eye contact? The
confidence? Etc.

6. Clarity and organization. Judges should listen to the debate as an

average reasonable person with an understanding of the law. The

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 ability of the debater to convey his/her ideas in a clear manner and with
facility of expression are to be considered.

7. The use of humor, the manner of delivery, eye contact, voice, posture,
and the ability of the debater to convince an audience, are some of the
elements within the purview of the Manner criterion.

8. INTERPELLATION: This refers to the ability to cross-examine the

opposing debater. This refers to the success the debater has in
clashing with the arguments of the opposing team. Has he thoroughly
understood the presented arguments and have they responded
effectively, logically and comprehensively in refutation.

9. This also includes courtesy and compliance with the rules. Judges
should take note of how a debater asks his questions, the logical
sequence of these questions, and their relevance. Debaters are advised
to ask only categorical questions (i.e., those answerable by yes or no);
otherwise broad questions (i.e., how or why questions) will elicit long
explanations and sordid answers. Each debater is allowed two (2)
minutes each to conduct his/her interpellation.

De Leon, Judynith
Nera, Mikhayla
Magyaya, Zyra

Principe, Dyna
Cañeza
Arellano, Janine

Amat, Desiree
Chavez, Charesa
Almazan, Kyla

Aquino, Cedie
De Leon, Melany
Flores, Danica

Barron, Suzane
Punzalan, Patrick
Subol, Mary

Frondoza, Mylene

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Rolloque, Chabelita
Quisao, Cindy

Glor, Maybelyn
Almanza, Kristelle
Toledo, Khayzyl

Indecio, Karen
Bueno, Kristine
Tumalip, Razel

Saricala, Alyssa
Tristan Kyle
Tañazana, Reylyn

Semitara, Jasper
Ishtaiwi, Bassma
San Agustin, Lisette

Paloma, Czarney
Candelaria, Irish
Escobar, Janelle

Ricablanca, Reanna
Cutrer, Launa
Cornejo