Step 1 - Affirmative constructive (2-3 minutes)
Introduction - State your name and partner’s name and that you are speaking for the affirmative; express pleasure for opportunity to debate the topic; state the resolution
Body - Describe the issue, using a combination of logos, ethos, and pathos
Support the affirmative case with 2-4 contentions, have at least 2 supporting pieces of evidence and reasoning (save at least 1 for rebuttal)
Conclusion - Summarize your position. Say “Thank you.”
Step 2 - Negative rebuttal speech (1-1.5 minutes) – summarize and reiterate
Step 3 - Negative constructive (2-3 minutes)
Introduction - Describe the issue from the point of view of the negative
Body - State negative philosophy by presenting 2-4 contentions; have at least 2 pieces of evidence and reasoning to support them (save at least 1 to reestablish during rebuttal)
Clash: Refute affirmative’s points with evidence and reasoning
Conclusion - Summarize the negative case so far. Say “Thank you.”
Step 4: Affirmative rebuttal speech (1-1.5 minute) - last speech!
Introduction - State your name and partner’s name and that you are speaking for the affirmative; express pleasure for opportunity to debate the topic; state the resolution
- Define key terms
- Present your thesis statement to show where you are going, e.g., This is a serious problem and the present system will not solve the problem; our plan will solve the problem
Body - Describe the issue, using a combination of logos, ethos, and pathos
Support the affirmative case with 2-4 contentions, have at least 2 supporting pieces of evidence and reasoning (save at least 1 for rebuttal)
- Establish the need for change – why this is a serious problem (qualitative/quantitative)
- Establish the harm of the present system – people or other living beings are hurt physically, emotionally, financially, socially
- Establish how the present system contributes to the problem (inherency)
Conclusion - Summarize your position. Say “Thank you.”
Step 2 - Negative rebuttal speech (1-1.5 minutes) – summarize and reiterate
- Greet - state your name and partner’s name and that you are speaking for the negative; express pleasure for the opportunity to debate the topic of _____
- Either accept the affirmative’s definitions or correct definitions presented by affirmative
- Clash: Refute the arguments introduced by the affirmative, point by point
- Again attack affirmative’s justification for change
- End with instructions: We must not allow . .
Step 3 - Negative constructive (2-3 minutes)
Introduction - Describe the issue from the point of view of the negative
- Introduce your case with your thesis statement: “We intend to prove that there is no need to . . .
Body - State negative philosophy by presenting 2-4 contentions; have at least 2 pieces of evidence and reasoning to support them (save at least 1 to reestablish during rebuttal)
- Refute the need for change; explain why the status quo is preferable (defend present system)
- Deny that the present system contributes to the problem (inherency)
- Why there is no reason for change; diminish significance (quantitative/qualitative)
- Why change could be worse than the present system
Clash: Refute affirmative’s points with evidence and reasoning
Conclusion - Summarize the negative case so far. Say “Thank you.”
Step 4: Affirmative rebuttal speech (1-1.5 minute) - last speech!
- Either accept the negative’s definitions or correct definitions presented
- Clash: Refute the arguments introduced by the negative, point by point
- Again attack affirmative’s justification for change
- Respond to objections negative made to your plan
- Remind the judges of your arguments and why they are more important than the negative’s
- Be dramatic in your big picture. Make your audience care! End with a strong appeal to adopt the resolution, to accept the proposal. Thank the audience and the judge(s).