Skyhawk Smackdown Online

2021 — NSDA Campus, UT/US

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Public Forum--Novice

Event Description:

Speaker points between 25-30 please. You can leave and save comments for each team separately and then comments to team as a whole. Please make sure to leave something. You should enter your decision first and then you can update or put in comments later if needed or type as you go. PLEASE: Mark names and what they are wearing in with each competitor and their number so that if there is an error we can catch it. YOU MUST make sure you have marked the correct Pro/Con with the correct team and make sure they are correct to the comments and those you describe. IE: Team 804 was aff, wearing blue matching ties.

Public Forum involves opposing teams of two, debating a topic concerning a current event. Proceeding a coin toss, the winners choose which side to debate (PRO or CON) or which speaker position they prefer (1st or 2nd), and the other team receives the remaining option. Students present cases, engage in rebuttal and refutation, and also participate in a “crossfire” (similar to a cross examination) with the opportunity to question the opposing team. Often times community members are recruited to judge this event.

As a team event, students who compete in Public Forum need to be able to work well with a partner. Balanced teams, both in terms of preparation before debates and contributions within a debate, helps provide a competitive advantage during tournaments. PF is the newest form of debate in the Association and looks at current event topics. Students who do Public Forum must be prepared to debate in front of judges without any formal debate training. Being able to persuade a range of judges is a central component to this event. Additionally, PF is focused upon debating varying resolutions that change frequently, which exposes students to a variety of topics during a singular competitive season.

Time Limits Speech Time Limit Purpose Team A Speaker 1 – Constructive 4 minutes Present the team’s case Team B Speaker 1 – Constructive 4 minutes Present the team’s case Crossfire 3 minutes Speaker 1 from Team A & B alternate asking and answering questions Team A Speaker 2 – Rebuttal 4 minutes Refute the opposing side’s arguments Team B Speaker 2 – Rebuttal 4 minutes Refute the opposing side’s arguments Crossfire 3 minutes Speaker 2 from Team A & B alternate asking and answering questions Team A Speaker 1 – Summary 3 minutes Begin crystallizing the main issues in the round Team B Speaker 1 – Summary 3 minutes Begin crystallizing the main issues in the round Grand Crossfire 3 minutes All four debaters involved in a crossfire at once Team A Speaker 2 – Final Focus 2 minutes Explain reasons that you win the round Team B Speaker 2 – Final Focus 2 minutes Explain reasons that you win the round

*Each team is entitled to three minutes of prep time during the round.