UT Region 13
2025 — Morgan, UT/US
Public Forum
Event Description:
Public Forum
In Public forum teams are not assigned sides. They flip at the beginning of the round and the winner of the flip gets to choose whether they want to go AFF or Neg or 1st or 2nd. Then the loser of the coin flip then choose whatever the winner doesn’t.
This means that you must correctly put in the online ballot which side a team is on and whether they go first or second. Take time to clarify this with the teams and also write it into their comments which side and speaker they are along with a descriptor of the team. IE: Wearing blue ties, etc…(these should be respectful and gender neutral identifiers)
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.
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 –Constructive and Rebuttal 4 minutes Refute the opposing side’s arguments
Team B Speaker 2 –Constructive and 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.
There are two sides to every debate, one side supports the resolution being debated, the other side negates the resolution.