CONGRESS STYLE DEBATEThe Basics

WHAT IS IT?

In Congress style debate each student presents an issue and argues either for it or against it.

Then another student takes the opposite side and argues either for or against the issue

Miss O will serve as the Presiding Officer and the secretary to run the Debate

WHERE TO START

In order to get a congress going, we first have to come up with topics and write resolutions.

Each of you will write a resolution for your chosen topic.

(If you are stuck on what topic you want, Miss O. has a list of controversial topics that might help you)

RESOLUTION RULES

All resolutions need a title All resolutions need whereas clauses that

serve as reasons. All whereas clauses need to be numbered The Be It Resolved clause restates the

purpose of the resolution

A RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE REFORMATION OF THE UNITED STATES HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

 1. Whereas, the current public-private healthcare system in the

US is the most expensive in the world.2. Whereas, the US is the only wealthy, industrialized nation

that does not have a universal health care system.3. Whereas, 45.7 million US citizens and non-citizens were

without health insurance at some time during 2007.4. Whereas, health care is a human right and no one should be

denied of medical care because of one’s demographic.5. Whereas, improving the health of citizens would improve the

country’s economic standing.6. Whereas, the implement of universal health care would also

provide benefits for preventative medicine. BE IT RESOLVED by the student congress assembled that the

health care system of the United States should be reformed.

A RESOLUTION PERTAINING TO THE ABOLITION OF TAX BREAKS ON NATIVE AMERICAN CASINOS

1. Whereas, Native Americans have suffered continued abuse by the American people.

2. Whereas, Native American communities are plagued by high instances of poverty, domestic abuse, and alcoholism, which extra income could resolve.

3. Whereas, the rapidly disappearing Native American culture could be protected by increased revenue from casinos.

4. Whereas, many Native American casinos give more money to their white backers than the Native Americans who run them.

5. Whereas, gambling is a choice every citizen of the United States of America has to make.

6. Whereas, Native American casino revenue is in many instances, being used to establish scholarships and further education.

7. Whereas, Native Americans tribes were established in North America earlier than Americans, and therefore are sovereign nations. 

Be it resolved by the student congress assembled that the right of Native Americans to establish tax free casinos on their reservations remains

A RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE MAKING HIGH SCHOOL START TIMES LATER

 

1. Whereas, the current start times detract from students learning ability.

2. Whereas, early start times cause more traffic accidents because students are still tired.

3. Whereas, making students wake up early causes problems at home in relationships with parents.

4. Whereas, late start times mean late releases which makes it easier on parents who have to pick up students.

5. Whereas, early start times causes loss of sleep for students.

BE IT RESOLVED by the student congress assembled that High School start times should be pushed back.

Once you have been assigned a topic you will write a resolution

Your resolution is due in the drop box by the end of class on Jan 28th. If you are absent, you need to email it to Miss O. by the time class is over on Thurs. If you don’t have a resolution in by then, you won’t be able to participate in the congress and will have to write a paper instead.

THE NEXT STEPS

You will spend Thursday the 28th in class further researching your topic and beginning to write your speeches using the template provided.

Then you will be given the docket on Tuesday Feb. 2nd (a copy of all the resolutions) and you will have a class period to research other people’s resolutions.

You will have Thurs. Feb 4th to do further research or finish your speech.

Your speech is due in the drop box before class on Tuesday Feb. 9th. This is when we will start the congress.

THE DEBATE

You will give your prepared speech to the congress

You will give a proponent/opponent speech for someone else's resolution.

The PO will be choosing who gives the speeches on which topic so be prepared to do all of them. This means extra research outside of class.

CAVEATS

• You must include evidence in all of your speeches.

• You must cite any source you use by telling where your information came from.

• You may not personally attack anyone in class and you must use respectful language.

• Your grade is based on both the quality of your speeches and your conduct as a member of the Congress.

• You must be prepared, if you are unprepared you will not be allowed to speak and you will loose points.

SPEECH FORMAT

Follow the template for the speeches. Start your speech off with an attention

getting device. Introduce your topic and your stance. Then, your speech will start with a preview

of points. Basically, this is where you read your resolution, including the numbers.

Now, present evidence for each of the points you have outlined.

In your conclusion you wrap up your thoughts and restate your stance.

SPEECH GUIDELINES

Your speech must be well prepared. You may use note cards but not a full sheet

of paper The speech must be long enough to cover all

of your points with evidence, but it must also be concise, no rambling please.

These speeches must fall between 2 and 4 minutes.

You will be turning in a copy of your speech with citations and a works cited page in correct MLA format.

GRADING: THE FOLLOWING RUBRIC WILL BE USED

Congress Speech RubricSpeaker_____________________________________

Intro: _____/15 - Is there an attention getting device? Is it effective? Does the preview of points follow the AGD? Is the stance on the resolution clearly stated?

Body: _____/20 – Is there evidence for each of the points previewed? Is the evidence credible? Does the speaker tell where the evidence came from? Are there transitions between points? Do all the points connect to the issue at hand?

Conclusion: ______/15– Does the speaker revisit the resolution? Does the speech come to a logical end? Does the speech meet the time requirement (2-3 min)?

Total Points ______/50 Pro/Opp speech total points ______/25