Debate is a wonderful way to build critical thinking skills, articulate your thoughts, educate yourself on various topics, form empathy for your opponent and their beliefs, build presentation skills, expand world views, and build confidence.
As Grange Youth, we should be able to gather research on a topic from reputable sources, form an argument/position based on their position. Participants should also be able to listen to the opposing positions(s)/argument(s) and issue a rebuttal with calmness in deliberation, forbearance to those who you differ from and charity toward their motives.
Format: Total estimated time for one round of 40 minutes
| Team Pro: | Team Con: |
| 4 Minute speech, 2 minute Cross Examination | 4 Minute speech, 2 minute Cross Examination |
| 4 Minute speech, 2 minute Cross Examination | 4 Minute speech, 2 minute Cross Examination |
| 1 minute preparation, 5 minute speech | 1 minute preparation, 5 minute speech |
Speech time refers to 1 person speaking in favor of or in opposition to the resolution without interruption. Cross examination following a speech refers to a period when a member of the team which did not give the speech asks questions of the person who has just spoken.
Team structure:
2 speakers, 2 researchers – 1 speaker must be a youth, 1 researcher must be a youth.
1 team per state in the region.
Ballots:
Winner is determined by a combination of three ballots:
- Judge vote – expert judges decide which team they believe won
- Audience vote – the audience votes on who they think won the debate
- Audience shift vote – the audience indicates a preference on the topic before
the debate round (Strongly agree, agree, neutral, disagree, strongly disagree)
and after the debate round. For a movement of position by 1 place (i.e. from
agree to neutral) a team is awarded 1 point, the team which has accumulated
the most points by this system wins this rounds ballot.
Potential Topic Areas:
– Food waste/security
– Climate change and its solutions
– Trade (protectionism vs. free trade)
– Or other Grange related policies or topics
The topic for all Grange Debate teams at regional conferences will be given on Friday
of the conference and the Debate will take place on Saturday night of the regional
conference giving teams time to prepare and research.
Sample Rubric
Levels of Performance for Team Pro or Team Con
| Criteria | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Grade |
| 1. Organization & Clarity:
Main arguments and responses are outlined in a clear and orderly way. |
Completely clear and orderly presentation |
Mostly clear and orderly in all parts |
Clear in some parts but not overall | Unclear and disorganized throughout |
|
| 2. Use of Argument: Reasons are given to support the resolution |
Very strong and persuasive arguments given throughout |
Many good arguments given, with only minor problems |
Some decent arguments, but some significant problems |
Few or no real arguments given, or all arguments given had significant problems |
|
| 3. Use of cross-examination and rebuttal:Identification of weakness in Negative team’s arguments and ability to defend itself against attack. |
Excellent cross-exam and defense against Negative team’s objections |
Good cross-exam and rebuttals, with only minor slip-ups |
Decent cross-exam and/or rebuttals, but with some significant problems |
Poor cross-exam or rebuttals, failure to point out problems in Negative team’s position or failure to defend itself against attack. |
|
| 4. Presentation Style:
Tone of voice, clarity of |
All style features were used convincingly |
Most style features were used convincingly |
Few style features were used convincingly |
Very few style features were used, none of them convincingly |
|
| TOTAL SCORE: __________ | |||||