Date of Debate_________________________
Team Position_________________________
Role on Team__________________________
Individual On-Task Work Time: ___________ / 50
Individual Debate Score: __________/ 50
Team Debate Score ___________/ 100 Total Individual Score: ___________/50
Structure for the Formal Debate
1.
Opening Statements (1 Minute) a.
Like an introduction to an essay, introduce your team and the topic you will be debating. Tell what position you are going to argue during the debate (like a thesis statement) and tell why your position should win.
2.
Oral Arguments (2-3 Minutes Each) a.
Like the body of an essay, present your evidence that proves your position is correct. Each argument should be factual and persuasive.
Opinions not backed up by facts could be used by the opposing team to show weakness of your argument, so be careful! Each team will have three oral arguments, each needs to prove a different point.
3.
Rebuttal Arguments (1 Minute) a.
After each oral argument the opposing team has an opportunity to present counter evidence that shows: false, inaccurate, misrepresented, or weak points in the opposition argument.
4.
Cross Examinations (1 minute) a.
After each team finishes its rebuttal, the other team has time to ask questions about the evidence presented in order to prove the invalidity of the argument.
5.
Closing Arguments (1 minute) a.
Like the closing paragraph of an essay, summarize the key points you presented. Conclude with a persuasive argument that will help your team win the debate!

Debate Rubric: Each piece of the debate will be individually graded and then
averaged for a total team score.
Topic
Content
Posture &
Eye Contact
Poor 8.25
Does not seem to understand the topic very well.
Slouches and/or does not look at people during the presentation.
Fair 9.5
Shows a good understanding of parts of the topic.
Sometimes stands up straight and establishes eye contact.
Good 10.75
Shows a good understanding of the topic.
Stands up straight and establishes eye contact with everyone in the room during the presentation.
Excellent 12.5
Shows full understanding of the topic
Stands up straight, looks relaxed and confident.
Establishes eye contact with everyone in the room during the presentation.
Speaks
Clearly
Stays on
Topic
Often mumbles or cannot be understood OR mispronounces more than one word.
It was hard to tell what the topic was.
Speaks clearly and distinctly most (85%-
94%) of the time.
Mispronounces no more than one word.
Stays on topic some (75%-
89%) of the time.
Speaks clearly and distinctly all (95%-
100%) the time, but mispronounces one word .
Stays on topic most (90% -
99%) of the time.
Speaks clearly and distinctly all (95% -
100%) the time, and mispronounces no words
Stays on topic all (100%) of the time.
Total Points = ___________/ 50