Affirmative

Negative

Major Argument 1

Assertion:

Reasoning:

Evidence:

Major Argument 1

Assertion:

Reasoning:

Evidence:

Major Argument 2

Assertion:

Reasoning:

Evidence:

Major Argument 2

Assertion:

Reasoning:

Evidence:

Major Argument 3

Assertion:

Reasoning:

Evidence:

Major Argument 3

Assertion:

Reasoning:

Evidence:

Affirmative Argument Opening Statements

1 minutes

Negative Argument Opening Statements

1 minutes

Time to gather yourself to begin rebuttal phase

1 minute

Affirmative Rebuttal Statement

1 minutes

Negative Rebuttal Statements

1 minutes

Second Affirmative Statement

1 minutes

Second Negative Statement

1 minutes

Time to gather yourself for final rebuttal and closing statements

1 minute

Affirmative Rebuttal and Closing Statements

1 minutes

Negative Rebuttal and Closing Statements

1 minutes

Affirmative Argument Opening Statement: This is where you establish your affirmative viewpoint of the resolution and drown your opponents in assertions, reasoning and evidence (ARE). It is a good idea to verbally cite all sources for your evidence since it will build your ethos and overall persuasiveness. One member can talk or multiple members can speak during this time. Remember you will have to stop when time is called. The negative team will be taking notes on the assertions you make so that they can refute them during the rebuttal stage. The negative team will not be able to interrupt your statements.

1 min

Negative Argument Opening Statement: This is where you establish your negative viewpoint of the resolution and drown your opponents in assertions, reasoning and evidence (ARE). It is a good idea to verbally cite all sources for your evidence since it will build your ethos and overall persuasiveness. One member can talk or multiple members can speak during this time. Remember you will have to stop when time is called. The affirmative team will be taking notes on the assertions you make so that they can refute them during the rebuttal stage. The affirmative team will not be able to interrupt your statements.

1 min

Team time for the rebuttal preparation: This will be a “huddle –up” time for teams to quietly discuss and organize their strategies for the upcoming rebuttal phase. During the opening statements each team will have taken notes on the various assertions that were made by their opponents. Hopefully each team will have prepared “They say, But, Because and Therefore” statements in anticipation of their opponents assertions so that they can provide effective counterarguments. Although, not required, separating counterarguments (TBBT) on individual note cards may prove effective since they can be organized on the spot and used during the rebuttal phase as speech note cards.

1 min

Affirmative Rebuttal Statement: During this time one or more members of the team will address the counterarguments made in the opening statements of the negative team. This is where the “They say, But, Because, Therefore- Four Step Method” is utilized. Essentially you are trying to discredit all their assertions. Your goal is to play defense and offensive at the same time (this is why the Four-Step Method is helpful). Hopefully their assertions are not a surprise and you are ready to respond. It is a good idea to verbally cite all sources for your evidence since it will build your ethos and overall persuasiveness.

1 min

Negative Rebuttal Statement: During this time one or more members of the team will address the counterarguments made in the opening statements of the affirmative team. This is where the “They say, But, Because, Therefore-Four Step Method” is utilized. Essentially you are trying to discredit all their assertions. Your goal is to play defense and offensive at the same time (this is why the Four-Step Method is helpful). Hopefully their assertions are not a surprise and you are ready to respond. It is a good idea to verbally cite all sources for your evidence since it will build your ethos and overall persuasiveness.

1 min

Second Affirmative Statement: This is where you solidify your affirmative viewpoint of the resolution and drown your opponents with ADDITIONAL assertions, reasoning and evidence (ARE). It is a good idea to verbally cite all sources for your evidence since it will build your ethos and overall persuasiveness. One member can talk or multiple members can speak during this time. Remember you will have to stop when time is called. The negative team will be taking notes on the additional assertions you make so that they can refute them during the rebuttal stage. The negative team will not be able to interrupt your statement.

1 min

Second Negative Statement: This is where you reaffirm your negative viewpoint of the resolution and drown your opponents with ADDITIONAL assertions, reasoning and evidence (ARE). It is a good idea to verbally cite all sources for your evidence since it will build your ethos and overall persuasiveness. One member can talk or multiple members can speak during this time. Remember you will have to stop when time is called. The affirmative team will be taking notes on the assertions you make so that they can refute them during the rebuttal stage. The negative team will not be able to interrupt your statement.

1 min

Team time for final rebuttal and closing statements: This will be a “huddle –up” time for teams to quietly discuss and organize their strategy for the upcoming rebuttal phase. During the second affirmative and negative statements each team will have taken notes on the various additional assertions made. During this time hopefully each team will have prepared “They say, But, Because and Therefore” statements in anticipation of these additional assertions so that they can provide effective counterarguments. Although, not required, separating counterarguments on individual note cards may prove effective since they can be organized on the spot and used during the rebuttal phase portion of the team’s final two minutes.

1 min

Affirmative Rebuttal and Closing Statement: During this time one or more members of the team will address the counterarguments to the assertions made in the second negative statement speech. Again, this is where the “They say, But, Because, Therefore- Four Step Method” is utilized. Remember, you are trying to discredit all their assertions. Your goal is to play defense and offensive at the same time (this is why the Four-Step Method is helpful). It is a good idea to verbally cite all sources for your evidence, since it will build your ethos and overall persuasiveness. Hopefully their assertions are not a surprise and you are ready to respond. Additionally, you should have a closing message for the audience (jury) prepared. You want to leave time to deliver your final closing thoughts. Your goal throughout this debate is to be passionate, forceful and confident, but most especially remember to use all your most powerful persuasive tactics at the end, it will be the last thing people remember before voting.

1 min

Negative Rebuttal and Closing Statement: During this time one or more members of the team will address the counterarguments to the assertions made in the second affirmative statement speech. Again, this is where the “They say, But, Because, Therefore- Four Step Method” is utilized. Remember, you are trying to discredit all their assertions. Your goal is to play defense and offensive at the same time (this is why the Four-Step Method is helpful). It is a good idea to verbally cite all sources for your evidence, since it will build your ethos and overall persuasiveness. Hopefully their assertions are not a surprise and you are ready to respond. Additionally, you should have a closing message for the audience (jury) prepared. You want to leave time to deliver your final closing thoughts. Your goal throughout this debate is to be passionate, forceful and confident, but most especially remember to use all your most powerful persuasive tactics at the end, it will be the last thing people remember before voting.

1 min