Rich Mountain Speech and Debate Festival
2018 — Elkins, WV/US
Big Questions Debate
Event Description:
a. Big Questions Debate: We are excited to offer Big Questions Debate for those students who have a desire to wrestle with ideas that are more ethereal in nature. Big Questions is a one-on-one debate (but partnerships are welcome) that focuses on topics that concern the intersection of science, philosophy, and religion. Students are assigned a side of the topic before each round and present cases, engage in rebuttal and refutation, and participate in a question period. The National Speech & Debate Association supports this format of debate through a grant from John Templeton Foundation.
This year’s topic is as follows:
Resolved: Humans are primarily driven by self-interest.
Speaking times are as follows:
Affirmative Constructive || 5 minutes || Present case
Negative Constructive || 5 minutes || Present case
Question Segment || 3 minutes || Alternate asking and answering questions
Affirmative Rebuttal || 4 minutes || Refute the opposing side’s arguments
Negative Rebuttal || 4 minutes || Refute the opposing side’s arguments
Question Segment || 3 minutes || Alternate asking and answering questions
Affirmative Consolidation || 3 minutes || Begin crystallizing the main issues in the round
Negative Consolidation || 3 minutes || Begin crystallizing the main issues in the round
Affirmative Rationale || 2 minutes || Explain reasons that you win the round
Negative Rationale || 2 minutes || Explain reasons that you win the round
*Each team is entitled to five minutes of prep time during the round.
(Adapted from NSDA)