Debate Assignment

There will be four debates this semester (see Course Calendar for dates). During each debate week there will be
a topic and a role for each student assigned (see Debate Topics and Debate Roles).

Each debate week the Researcher from the Pro and Con team will submit information packet to the Debate
Assignment folder associated with that weeks topic.

Roles
Each week you will be assigned one of the following roles:

Pro- Your team will make an argument for or in favor of the topic assigned

Con- You team will make an argument against or not in favor of the topic assigned

Judge- Judges will facilitate debate and decide which team made a better argument

Spectator- You will observe the debate. You will be asked to pose questions to each side during the debate
and/or be the deciding factor if a tie is had by the judges.

Each debate group will assign the following jobs to team members:

Presenters (2), Cross Examiner (1), Debaters (2), Researcher (1)

Duty of each role/job

Presenters- Presenters will give the opening argument for their side (5-7min). Argument must include a
PowerPoint Presentation. PowerPoint should serve as a guide to your argument and provide visual aide to
further or provide context to your argument.

Cross Examiner- After the opening argument the opposing team will have 5 min to gather questions. The cross
examiner will then question the opposing side (5min).

Debaters- After both sides have made their opening arguments and cross examination has concluded each team
will have their debaters come forward. The Judges will then pose questions to the debaters and each side will
have 2 min to make an argument.

Researcher- You must create and provide two information packets one for the judges and one for me. Packet
should include resources and general information supporting your argument, including but not limited to the
presentation slides. Submit packet to Debate Assignment associated with the weeks topic.

*All team members should participate in the gathering and review of information and research.
Judges- Judges will listen closely to each side during opening arguments and cross examination. Judges will
then discuss amongst themselves and review the information packets (10 min). You will then pose the questions
provided, and at least one original question. Each side will have an opportunity to answer each question.

Spectators- Spectators primary role will be to observe the arguments. During the debate you will provide at
least one question as a group to submit to the judges. You will also serve as the tie breaker vote, if needed.

Debate Outline
Pro Opening Argument
Presenters will make their opening argument.
PowerPoint must be used to provide a guide for your
argument and/or provide visual aids that support your 5-7 minutes
side.

Con team will have 5 minutes to privately discuss. After 5 minutes to discuss
which the crossexaminer will have 5 minutes to ask
Cross Examination questions to the Pro team. 5 minutes to question

Presenters will make their opening argument.

PowerPoint must be used to provide a guide for your
Con Opening Argument argument and/or provide visual aids that support your 5-7 minutes
side.

Pro team will have 5 minutes to privately discuss. After 5 minutes to discuss
which the crossexaminer will have 5 minutes to ask
Cross Examination questions to the Con team. 5 minutes to question

Spectators will work together to form at least one

original question for the judges to ask during the debate.

The Judges will discuss both sides, review the

Spectators/Judges
information packets and come up with at least one 10 minutes
original question. You will be asking a minimum of
three questions. One original question, one question will
be provided from the spectators and one will be
provided by me.

Two debaters from each side will be asked questions by

the judges. Each side will have 2 min to respond to each
Debate question. 2 minutes per question

Judge’s Decision The Judges will determine winner. 5 minutes

Grading Rubric
Debate Assignment Rubric

5 All 3 Some 0 Not at All

Participation Participation and roles were Participation and/or roles Participation and/or roles
performed to the highest level were performed as described were not performed as
as described in the but not to a high level. described.
instructions

Use of Information Proper research was Research was completed but Research was not
conducted and provided did not provide quality completed.
quality context to argument context to argument and/or
and/or questioning. questioning.

Preparedness Demonstrates preparedness of Does not demonstrate

assigned role preparedness of assigned
role.