Henry Clay Warm Up For Nationals SR JR Speech Debate Tournament

2021 — NSDA Campus, KY/US

• Invite
• Pairings
• Results

Varsity Public Forum

Event Description:

If you have any questions during the competition, please do not hesitate to contact tournament director (Ryan Ray) at ryan.ray@fayette.kyschools.us

Thank you!

PUBLIC FORUM DEBATE

1. Resolution: Public Forum Debate focuses on advocacy of a position derived from the issues presented in the

resolution, not a prescribed set of burdens. KHSSL will use the current NSDA resolution.

2. Procedure and order of speeches: Prior to EVERY round and in the presence of the judge(s), a coin is tossed by

one team and called by the other team. The team that wins the flip may choose one of two options: EITHER the

SIDE of the topic they wish to defend (pro or con) OR the SPEAKING POSITION they wish to have (begin the

debate or end the debate). The remaining option (SIDE OR SPEAKING POSITION) is the choice of the team that

loses the flip. Once speaking positions and sides has been determined, the debate begins (the con team may lead,

depending on the coin flip results).

First Speaker Team A 4 Minutes

First Speaker Team B 4 Minutes

Crossfire (first question by speaker A1) 3 Minutes

Second Speaker Team A 4 Minutes

Second Speaker Team B 4 Minutes

Crossfire (first question by A2) 3 Minutes

Summary First Speaker Team A 3 Minutes

Summary First Speaker Team B 3 Minutes

Grand Crossfire 3 Minutes

Final Focus Second Speaker Team A 2 Minutes

Final Focus Second Speaker Team B 2 Minutes

Prep Time 3 Minutes per team

3. Timing: Timekeepers are an option but not required. If no timekeeper is used, debaters may time for their partners

or the judge may keep time. Prep time for each team is three minutes.

4. Plans/Counterplans: In Public Forum Debate, a plan or counterplan is a formalized, comprehensive proposal for

implementation. Neither the pro or con side is permitted to offer a plan or counterplan; rather, they should offer

reasoning to support a position of advocacy. Debaters may offer generalized, practical solutions.

5. Prompting Philosophy: Oral prompting, except time signals, either by the speaker's colleague or by any other

person while the debater has the floor, is discouraged though not prohibited and may be penalized by some

judges. Debaters may, however, refer to their notes and materials and may consult with their teammate while they

do not have the floor and during the Grand Crossfire.

6. Reading case: A team may decide, when asked by the opponent team for a copy of their case, whether or not to

provide it; if the team refuses they will not be penalized in any way.

7. Oral Critiques: No debate ballot may be returned in without a reason for decision. Oral commentary is not

considered a substitute for the written ballot. Critiques are discouraged but not forbidden; timeliness of the

tournament is a paramount value. Comments made by a judge (orally or written) should be constructive and

professional.

8. Judges: The use of community judges is strongly encouraged.

Lightly adapted from NSDA rules.