Team Judging Instructions

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I.                WHAT IS TEAM DEBATE?

Team debate is two debaters attempting to support the resolution and two debaters attempting to argue against the resolution.

 

II.            TOPIC

RESOLVED:  That the United States federal government should significantly increase protection of privacy in the United States in one or more of the following areas: employment, medical records, consumer information, search and seizure.

(Please keep in mind that the students come prepared to debate both sides and do not choose which side they will debate)

 

III.       FORMAT

Each debate team has an equal amount of time

 

First Affirmative Constructive……………………………………8 minutes

Cross-Examination by Negative………………………………….3 minutes

First Negative Constructive………………………………………..8 minutes

Cross-Examination by Affirmative…………………………….3 minutes

Second Affirmative Constructive………………………………       8 minutes

Cross-Examination by Negative………………………………….3 minutes

Second Negative Constructive…………………………………..8 minutes

Cross-Examination by Affirmative…………………………….3 minutes

First Negative Rebuttal……………………………………………….5 minutes

First Affirmative Rebuttal………………………………………..      5 minutes

Second Negative Rebuttal……………………………………………5 minutes

Second Affirmative Rebuttal……………………………………..5 minutes

 

Each TEAM is allowed 5 minutes of preparation time during the debate

 

IV.           SPECIFIC RULES

A.     No new arguments may be raised in the rebuttal speeches except in the first affirmative rebuttal, when responses to second negative arguments are permitted.  However, debaters may present new evidence in support of their original position during the rebuttal speeches.

B.      False or manufactured evidence is grounds for a loss being given to the offending team.

C.      Each speaker must deliver a constructive and a rebuttal and give one cross-examination and receive one cross-examination.

 

V.               JUDGING CRITERIA

 

Written comments must be provided on the ballot concerning the reason for your decision.  The decision should be based on the following issues.

 

A.       TOPICALITY:  Does the affirmative plan reasonably adhere to the limitations of the topic?

B.        SIGNIFICANCE:  Is there a justification to change from the present system?

C.        INHERENCY:  Is there a clear barrier, which prevents the present system from solving the problems, presented by the affirmative?

D.       SOLVENCY:  Can the proposed plan solve the problems better than the present system?

E.        DISADVANTAGES:  Do the advantages of the affirmative proposal outweigh the disadvantages presented by the negative?

 

PLEASE NOTE**

 

          The Affirmative Team has the burden of persuading the judge on all of these issues.  If the Affirmative fails to carry this burden on all five points, it must lose the debate.  Therefore, the Negative Team will win if any one or more of the questions is answered “No”.  Also, if all things are equal in the debate, the Negative Team is presumed to be defending a workable system and wins the debate.

 

          Please return your ballot as soon as possible to the judges’ room so that new parings can begin immediately.

 

          Absolutely no oral critiques.  They take time.  The comments do not get back to the coach.  If any student asks you for comments, please tell the student that oral comment are against the rules.

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