Black Bear Debate Tournament

2022 — Online, CA/US

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Public Forum

Event Description:

PUBLIC FORUM

• Topic: The United States Federal Government should substantially increase its investment in high-speed rail.

Rules:

Public Forum Debate (PFD) is a team event that advocates or rejects a position posed by the monthly resolution topic. The clash of ideas must be communicated in a manner persuasive to the non-specialist or “lay judge”, i.e. a member of the American jury. The debate should:

- Display solid logic, lucid reasoning, and depth of analysis

- Utilize evidence without being driven by it

- Present a clash of ideas by countering/refuting arguments of the opposing team (rebuttal)

- Communicate ideas with clarity, organization, eloquence, and professional decorum

Times

Speaker 1 (Team A, 1st speaker ).........................4 min.

Speaker 2 (Team B, 1st speaker)...........................4 min.

Crossfire (between speakers 1 & 2).................3 min.

Speaker 3 (Team A, 2nd speaker ) .......................4 min.

Speaker 4 (Team B, 2nd speaker )........................4 min.

Crossfire (between speakers 3 & 4).................3 min.

Speaker 1 Summary..................................................3 min.

Speaker 2 Summary..................................................3 min.

Grand Crossfire (all speakers) ........................3 min.

Speaker 3 Final Focus...............................................2 min.

Speaker 4 Final Focus...............................................2 min.

Each team may use up to three minutes of prep time.