WELCOME TO MILESTONES DEBATE

TOURNAMENT

Qualifications for JudgingQualifications for JudgingRELAX!RELAX!

You are fully qualified and you are brave! It's not your job to be a debate expert. It is the debater's job to communicate with you. Milestones’ goal is for our students to effectively

communicate with people from all walks of life.

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Outline of Today's PresentationJudges RoleStructure of the DebatesHow to Make the DecisionSpeaker PointsThe Ballot

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General HousekeepingTwo debaters (two teams of one person each) at tables with a podium between them.You will face them.The debaters will introduce themselves and shake your hand.*They are encouraged to ask you questions about yourself after the introductions to get a better understanding of you. You are the main audience of their debate. Please tell them a little bit about yourself.There may be others in the room.

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As a Judge you shouldListen to the debateReach a conclusion either for or against the resolutionProvide written feedback on the ballotStop a speech that runs overtimeEject others in the room who are disruptiveTurn off your cell phone and ask others to do likewise

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As a Judge you should notRequest or accept written material from the debaters.Interrupt or question the debatersMake your decision until the last speech is overReveal your decision to the debaters, their parents, or anyone elseRead the newspaper, use your cell phone, or be distracted in any way.

General Debate Information

There are two sides of an issue (the resolution) that will be debated:Affirmative – will argue for the resolutionNegative – will argue against the resolutionDebaters have been assigned which side to argue for each debate round – they do not get to choose. During the course of the tournament, they will debate each side.

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Using Time in the Round Debate is a strictly timed activity. Each speech has an allotted amount of time. Once the time

piece ‘beeps’ the speaker's allotted time is over. (The speaker is allowed to wrap up their thought or finish their sentence.)

Each speaker should adhere to those time limits. The debaters will time themselves, or there may be a

dedicated timer. If the debaters time themselves, they should show the judge and opponent their time piece.

The time used or the time remaining should be announced at the end of each speech. If the speaker does not announce their used or remaining time, the judge can ask.

Type of Debate

Today you will be hearing a Lincoln-Douglas style debate.

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Debate Round Structure- Lincoln Douglas ValueSeries of speeches- totaling 32 minutes

The Round:1. Affirmative Constructive (AC): 6 minutes2. Cross Examination (CX): 3 minutes3. Negative Constructive (NC): 7 minutes4. Cross Examination (CX): 3 minutes5. First Affirmative Rebuttal (1AR): 4 minutes6. Negative Rebuttal (NR): 6 minutes7. Second Affirmative Rebuttal (2 AR): 3 minutes

Additionally, each speaker will receive a total of 3 minutes of preparation timewhich can be used prior to their speeches. (prep time cannot be used prior to CX.)

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Affirmative ConstructiveAffirmative ConstructiveACAC CX NC CX 1AR NR 2ARCX NC CX 1AR NR 2AR

OpenerDefinitionsValueCriterionContentionsCloser 

NOTE:  The AC is usually the only

prepared speech in the debate round, unless the

negative also has a separate case with a

value.

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Cross Examination (CX) ACAC CXCX NC CX 1AR NR 2AR NC CX 1AR NR 2AR

Three minutesImmediately follows each constructive speech (no prep time allowed)This is the only direct interaction between the debaters during the roundOne-on-one question and answerDebaters face the judge, not each other, but they are speaking to each otherJudges do not question/comment during this time

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Negative ConstructiveNegative Constructive ACAC CX CX NC NC CX 1AR NR 2AR CX 1AR NR 2AR

Value Will argue against the resolution and the affirmative

case.

Will attack the affirmative value

May bring up a negative case with its own definitions, value, criterion, and contentions.

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Affirmative & Negative Rebuttals ACAC CX NCCX NC CX CX 1AR NR 2AR1AR NR 2AR

Debaters use these speeches to clarify the important arguments in the round.Debaters cannot introduce new arguments, but can introduce new evidence or responses to support arguments already made.Debaters should refute arguments made by the opponent.Reassert own case, argue own valueMay propose 'voting issues' – those arguments the debater feels is most crucial to the round.

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Flow Sheet (Note-taking system)

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Flow Sheet (Note-taking system)

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FLOWING:Follow arguments across the page or until they are dropped.

If the argument is not adequately refuted by the opposing side then that point is won.

When the Round is Over…The debaters will come shake your hand and thank you for judging. At this time, if you need to see any support that was in dispute during the round, you may request to review support for clarification or accuracy. You may not take this support material with you. After looking it over, give any supporting information back to the debater. Do not ask for additional support that was not already presented in the round.Don't ask questions or give verbal feedback. Don't solicit opinions about the round from other observers in the room.Do not fill out ballots in the debate room. Please go directly to Judges Hospitality for refreshments and to complete your ballot.Don't disclose your decision.*Don't base your decision on your own personal experiences or knowledge. Don't base your decision on what you believe about the issue, base the decision on the performance and efforts of the students.

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Debaters Love Comments (Reason for Decision)

Ballot comments are the debater's tool for improving skills!

*Constructive comments, NOT excessive criticism. How did the debater convince you – be specific Which value won or lost? Why? Did the debaters use sufficient support to back up

their views? What points were missed? End with something positive

Speaker Points

Speaker points are given to determine the best speaker. The best speaker does not have to be the winner of the debate, but can be.

The winner of the debate round is not necessarily the best speaker, but can be.

The Ballot – Speaker Point GuidelineEach speaker is judged in these six categories:PersuasionOrganizationDeliverySupport or EvidenceCross ExaminationRefutation

This guideline will be on the tables in the Judge’s Hospitality room to help you with your decision.

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Speaker PointsIn the previous categories, each speaker is rated

from 1 through 5 using the following scale with 3 being the starting point: 1- poor, the weakest 2 – fair 3 – average 4 – exceptional 5 - outstanding, the strongest/flawless

Lincoln-Douglas Value Debate

How Value Debate differs from Policy:

*No policy changes or actions are MADE.*Focus is on ideas instead of a specific plan or policy*Support for case comes from analysis, historical or current events, philosophy (instead of evidence)*Ask “Why?”*Where are the stock issues?

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Value Debate

Affirmative Case Construction:

*Definitions - used for clarification of the resolution andany words that need defining. *Value - Justifies the reason “why”*Criterion – the means by which we get to the value*Contentions – concrete examples that help explain the

value

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Value Debate

Negative Case Construction:

*There are two ways the negative can argue against the resolution:

1. Straight argumentation & refutationOR

2. Direct contradiction of the affirmative case with a negative case (which has definitions, value, criterion, and contentions)

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Filling Out the Ballot Take your time and enjoy our refreshments. Fill out and add up speaker points. Add constructive comments in individual

speaker boxes. Determine who won speaker (Even if the speaker points are the same for both

debaters, you must choose one as 1st speaker. No ties allowed.) Determine who won the debate round and mark the appropriate box. *Write detailed comments for debate round “reason for decision”. You may even

use the back of your ballot if you need more room. End with something encouraging for each debater. Check your speaker point tally. Make sure your ballot is correct. Sign, date, and

turn in your ballot. As you fill out your ballot, if you have any questions, go to the ballot table and

someone will help answer your questions. Note: You may be asked to fill out a ‘speed ballot’ to hand over to Tab so the

tournament keeps moving. You will then have time to complete your full ballot leisurely.

Important RemindersImportant RemindersLeave all personal biases/opinions at the door.Do not allow audience response to impact your decision.Don't give consideration for younger or less experienced debaters or older or more experienced debaters.Don't determine a decision based on your knowledge – put your knowledge in the comments.Base your decision solely on what has been presented to you by the debaters in the round.

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After this orientation…-Go to the ballot table to pick up your ballot.

-Make sure when you are given a ballot that you look over the names of the debaters you will be judging.

-Conflicts: If a competitor or competitor's parent has invited you, we ask that you do not judge that competitor.If you have a close personal relationship/friendship with, are related to, or have coached a competitor, we ask you not to judge that individual.Alumni judges, please be sure not to judge anyone who competed during the time you competed.

-Out of respect for the debaters, please take a water or restroom break before theround begins. You should not leave the debate room until after the entire debateround is finished.

-Turn off your cell phone before entering debate room.

-Besides maps in the hallways, there are hall monitors who can assist you.

Volunteers like YOU Make It Happen!Volunteers like YOU Make It Happen!

We appreciate your time.You are helping our students become more effective communicators.We can't do this without you.The Judge is ALWAYS right!

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