Contemporary Issues Debate (A Mixture of Judgment and Policy Debates)

As high school students, the world seems large and clear to you. However, under the surface of your daily lives are issues that either directly affect you or will affect you in the future. Many of these divisive issues require critical and clear thinking to determine an opinion. With that in mind, look to explore a topics below (taken from National Forensic League debates) and formulate a wise and educated argument that represents your position on this subject.

Statement: Death penalty should be abolished. Tuesday 12/8

Statement: Marijuana should be legalized for recreational use. Tuesday 12/8

Statement: Assisted suicide should be legal in the U.S. Wednesday 12/9

Statement: Government should have the ability to censor its citizens. Wednesday 12/9

Statement: Torturing for information should be legal. Thursday 12/10

Statement: Sex education should be more comprehensive. Thursday 12/10

Statement: Capitalism is superior to socialism. Friday 12/11

Statement: Governments should welcome refugees in times of crisis. Friday 12/11

You and your assigned partner(s) will investigate one of these issues to prepare for a debate against an opposing team. Most of the research and collaboration will take place in class, but you will have to work outside of class to ensure you are fully prepared to debate.

Several of you will have a non-debate role – you will serve as the moderator between opposing groups. Each moderator will:

1.  Introduce issues and opposing teams.

2.  Write and present effective follow-up questions to encourage dialogue.

3.  Monitor and supervise debate according to stipulated rules – be “in charge.”

Format for Debate:

Affirmative Construction 5 minutes

Moderator Cross-examination of Affirmative 3 minutes

Negative Constructive 5 minutes

Moderator Cross-examination of Negative 3 minutes

Affirmative and Negative Rebuttal 8 minutes

Affirmative Concluding Statement 1 minute

Negative Concluding Statement 1 minute

During the constructive, your team is responsible for presenting your arguments. Your arguments should be based on expert opinions, historical evidence, relevant facts and statistics, appeals to emotion, court cases, and sound reasoning. Each group member has one to two minutes to present in the constructive. Start and end strongly. (*Note: make sure you define and specify your stance several times throughout the debate.

During the cross-examination, the moderator will ask you questions. You are to respond to the questions and defend your arguments.

During the rebuttal, your team will address any new arguments brought up by the opposing team.

During the concluding statement, your team will provide its final support/summative statement for your stance.

Debate participants will be evaluated on the following:

1.  Did the participants demonstrate a true understanding of the issues involved?

2.  To what extent did all group members participate in the constructive, cross-examination, and rebuttal?

3.  Did the participants provide well-supported arguments? Did they refer to specific details from the text and relevant historical and cultural facts?

4.  Which group was the most persuasive?

5.  Did the participants dress in appropriate, professional attire?

Moderator participants will be evaluated on the following:

1.  Did the moderator clearly outline the viewpoints?

2.  Did the moderator ask effective follow-up questions that stimulated dialogue?

3.  Did the moderator make participants and audience adhere to expectations?

4.  Did the moderator dress and act in a professional manner?

When debating, you must clear your desk of everything except your outline and three note cards. You may not have typed texts or whole sheets of paper with statistics. You will turn in your note cards and outlines after the debate.

AVOID PLAGIARISM. If you read someone else’s ideas or information, you must give credit to the author.

Think of your constructive as an argumentative essay: Introduction, main arguments

(with concise, clear topic sentences), supporting details, and conclusion. Repeat your side of the argument (your stance/resolution) frequently and fervently.

To Turn In: 3 notecards, Debate Outline, Summary of Participation

Date / Item Due
Tuesday 12/8
Wednesday 12/9
Thursday 12/10
Friday 12/11 / Death Penalty and Marijuana Debate
Assisted Suicide and Gov’t Censorship
Torture for Info and Sex Education
Capitalism/Socialism and Gov’t/Refugees
Debate Day – See Above / 3 note cards, Debate Outline, Summary of Participation

*If you are not present on the day of your presentation, you will not receive credit. You will instead be required to present your debate as an argumentative speech on your own.