Debate Class Requirements and Expectations
Teacher Contact:
thancey@dsdmail.net
Or contact me in my room from 7:00 to 7:30 am and from 2:20 to 2:50 pm.
Phone Contact: School: 801 402-4946 Cell: 801 941-5624
Letter grades will be assigned according to the following scale:
100 - 93 = A
92 - 89 = A-
88 - 85 = B+
84 - 81 = B
80 - 77 = B-
76 - 72 = C+
71 - 67 = C
66 - 62 = C-
61 - 58 = D+
57 - 54 = D
53 - 50 = D49 - 0 = F
Course Curriculum:
Students will learn debate theory and public speaking techniques.
Skills will be applied to varied formats such as:
Student Congress, Policy Debate, Lincoln/Douglas Debate,
Extemporaneous Speaking, Original Oratory, Impromptu Speaking,
Public Forum Debate, Dramatic Interp, Humorous Interp, Duo Interp,
as well as other events
Students will demonstrate skills learned to other students in the classroom and at tournaments
Portfolio:
You will need a 2 to 3 inch binder. Portfolios should be maintained daily. You will need to
section the binder into the events that you learn about.
You will compile all of the material you receive and create for that event into the portfolio.
Your portfolio will be submitted at the midterm and at the end of the term.
Failure to submit the portfolio on or before the posted time will result in a reduction of grade
regardless.
Portfolio Value: Midterm - 250 Points - Term End - 500 Points
Lab & Tournament Requirements:
It is suggested that you attend labs each week in the events you wish to compete. Students will be
required to attend tournaments and public presentations according to following minimum standards:
1st Term
2nd Term
3rd Term
4th Term
3 labs plus one event
2 Tournaments
2 Tournaments
2 Events plus one speaking engagement
Tournament Value: Each tournament is worth 50 points
Tournament Make-up: In class speech, 7 min. long on assigned topic = 20 pts. 3 speeches will make
up one tournament
Daily Quizzes: Each day a current events quiz will be given.
Debate Fees
School Fee:
$70.00 – This is a participation fee.
What does it cover? Layton’s NFL Membership, Tournament registration, judge pay,
materials, texts, awards, busses, etc.
$20 Transportation Fee
National Forensic League Dues:
$15.00 – This is a lifetime membership. A student must earn 25 points before joining the
NFL. This fee pays for membership and any seals earned during your career. Please pay
to the office when you have earned you first 25 NFL points.
No-Show Fees:
$25.00 - This is a penalty fee. When a tournament director plans a tournament after a
student has registered, there is considerable inconvenience for that director and the
tournament staff when a student NO-SHOWS.
$10.00 – When a student has committed to attend a tournament and chooses to not
attend a scheduled round a student pays this for the embarrassment they have caused
Layton High.
Trip Costs:
Overnight tournaments are a privilege and an expense. These costs shall be
covered by the student. They cover transportation, hotel, judges, double entry fees
and more. We will try to be conservative and keep costs as low as possible to allow
participation by all debaters.
Fundraiser:
We will be having a fundraiser this year to pay for out of state travel.
Supplies:
The school does not supply cases, briefs, policy boxes, flow or legal pads, pens, pencils,
notebooks presentation folders, etc.
Damaged or Lost Items:
Students are responsible for all items they checkout for tournaments. These may include
timers, Current Issues books or other items.
Students are also responsible for materials or property damaged or defaced at tournaments.
(School administration and law enforcement officials will also be notified of illegal behavior)
Layton Debate Rules and Regulations
1. Davis School District policies and procedures will be followed by students participating in field
trips at all times.
2. All material to be presented in competition must be presented to Mrs. Hancey or a team captain
at least three days before the tournament. Evaluations from these presentations should be
included in your portfolio.
3. Team Travel: Traveling with the team on the bus is required. Please do not ask for exceptions.
4. Tournament attire: Students are required to wear business dress to tournaments:
For boys: A shirt and a tie, jacket or suit is optional, nice slacks and dress shoes.
For girls: This means nice pants or a skirt (knee length or longer) with a modest blouse, a
nice dress or business suit.
AT NO TIME are flip flops, running shoes or denims acceptable
5. During the tournament:
You must remain on the property at all times.
Do not leave without proper permission or consent from Mrs. Hancey.
You must attend the awards ceremony with the team.
6. Any behavior that is disruptive, demeaning, which could create unfavorable consequences for
Layton High School will not be tolerated
7. You may participate in up to 10 tournaments prior to the region state, NFL tournament. You will
sign-up with Mrs. Hancey for each tournament on the sign-up sheet.
8. Participation fees must be paid prior to the tournament season (September 30, 2014)
9. Expenses for overnight trips must be paid to the registrar prior to the registration
deadline. (Deadlines will be posted on the sign-up sheet) or you will not be registered.
Team Configuration – This explanation will help you decide
what events you work on during the year.
Region Team:
4 Policy Teams
4 L/D
4 Public Forum Teams
3 Congress
3 Original Oratory
3 Impromptu
3 National Extemp
3 International Extemp
State Team: Can be slightly adjusted to accommodate most qualifiers
3 Policy Teams
3 L/D
3 Public Forum Teams
2 Congress
2 Original Oratory
2 National Extemp
2 International Extemp
2 Impromptu
NFL Qualifier:
No more than 4 individuals or teams in any debate or IE event – Number of total
entries depends on the number of NFL Seals our team has recorded at the NFL
headquarters 7 days prior to the tournament.
201 Seals means: 18 entries in debate and IEs. 11 total entries in Congress
251 Seals means: 19 entries in debate and IEs. 12 total entries in Congress
301 Seals means: 20 entries in debate and IEs. 13 total entries in Congress
National Forensics League Membership:
Your level in the National Forensics League is a direct reflection of your personal efforts.
Please pay attention to earning these points. Suggested Degree levels:
25
75
150
250
Points minimum in first quarter
Points overall in second quarter
Points overall in third quarter
Points overall in fourth quarter
Term Portfolio Requirements
Calendar signed by a parent with highlighted tournaments you plan to attend, any other
informational handouts that are general in nature.
Sections you should include:
Congress: Handouts for this event. TOP TEN. At least 1 piece of legislation and a
proponent speech. Legislation that you presented in class with Aff/Neg ideas for each
legislation presented by other class members.
L/D: Philosopher notes sheet (green) and basic rules, outlines and worksheets
Public Forum: Rules, topics, cases, research
Spar: Rules, and outlines. Fun topics to debate
Impromptu: Rules and Topic outlines. Possible speech introductions
Original Oratory: List of 50, Rules Handout, copy of your oratory start
Extemp: Basic Outline and Topic List
Interp: The rules and other notes. Possible selections you might wish to present.
Ballots: Sets of Ballots with ballot review sheet and self-evaluation.
Miscellaneous: Date of speeches you have given that were not debate related. Other
stuff you have in your folder that doesn’t seem to have a place…
Academic Letter in Debate:
There are several ways to earn an academic letter in Debate. Accomplishing any one of these
will earn you the letter.
1. Place 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in 2 Tournaments
2. Attend 10 Tournaments
3. Earn 100 NFL Points during Season
4. Earn 75 NFL Points in 5 Tournaments
Each Student may only letter once during each year of competition
Good Luck!!
National Forensics League Academic All American:
This honor is earned through the National Forensics League (NFL)
This looks fabulous on your resume for college entrance.
You are awarded with a beautiful certificate.
You must:
Have completed 5 semesters of High School (grades 9-12)
Earn 750 NFL points during High School
Have a GPA of 3.7 on a 4.0 scale
Earn a 26 on the ACT or a 2000 on the SAT
Be recommended by the Coach and the Principal
Submit the AAA application with an Official School Transcript & $10.00