NOVICE DEBATE TEAM
Debate Format
September 2010-2011
RESOLVED: The United States federal government should substantially reduce U.S. military and/or
police presence in South Korea, Japan, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Iraq, and Turkey.
___________________
The Debate is divided into specific blocks of time. Each timed portion of the debate has a special
purpose. I will outline each portion of the debate and give you the time frame for each segment. This
should begin to help you with your planning.
FIRST AFFIRMATIVE (5 minutes)
The purpose of this 5 minute speech is to show the judge that there is a need to substantially reduce
U.S. military and/or police presence in South Korea, Japan, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Iraq, and Turkey.
Build your speech in the following way:
1. Define each term in the resolved according to a college dictionary (You can also find
them in the Baylor’s on page 73).
2. Build a logical set (3-4) of reasons why there is a need to reduce U.S. military
presence
3. Use evidence to show this need.
4. In the last 30 seconds of your speech introduce briefly your plan for change.
5. Use the information from pages 2 -4 in the Baylor’s to help structure this essay.
HELPFUL HINTS: Keep the judge’s attention. Speak with a clear voice, using different tones
to emphasize points, and highlight quotes that make your point. Use up all the time available.
FIRST AFFIRM . CROSS - X (2 min)
One team member from the Negative side will now ask the First Affirmative as many questions as
possible. They will have taken notes while the First Affirmative was speaking. They will try to
challenge your definitions and ask for clarification
HELPFUL HINTS: Be polite and maintain poise. Do not get personal. Questions should make sense
and have a point when you are asking them. Try to use up all the time available when you answer or
ask questions.
FIRST NEGATIVE (5 min)
The First Negative speaker will argue that there is no need to reduce U.S. military presence in one of
the countries. Things are fine the way they are (this is called the status quo). This speaker should try
to make reference back to the previous speech and find fault with the First Affirmative.
FIRST NEGATIVE CROSS-X (2 min)
One person from the Affirm will ask these questions of the First Negative. The Affirm will try to poke
holes in the Negative’s presentation.
2ND AFFIRMATIVE (5 min)
You will offer your plan for reducing military presence here. Your speech should explain the
following:
1. Describe your plan; what type of presence are you reducing, who would participate, when
should it begin, what is your time frame, and other details you create. USE FACTS and
QUOTES to support your plan. (in other words - who, what, when, where, why and how)
2. Try to account for the cost of your plan- how much will it cost and how will you pay for it?
From where will you get the money? How much will it save the government?
3. Try to include some criticism about the previous Cross-X of the Negative team.
SECOND AFFIRMATIVE CROSS-X (2 min)
This will be the Negative team’s turn to try to prove you wrong. They will ask questions of proof both
for your proposed plan and its costs.
SECOND NEGATIVE ( 5 min)
This portion is basically a criticism of the Affirmative’s plans. (You need to use FACTS and QUOTES
to attack their plan. This debater has only half of the speech prepared. Half must be spontaneous
questioning and criticism of the Affirm’s proposed plan, making constant reference back to the
Affirm’s plan. Your goal is to argue that the United States should not reduce military presense in the
countries named in the resolved. Do not offer your own plan here; the point is to show the
Affirmative plan’s weakness.
SECOND NEGATIVE CROSS-X (2 min)
The Affirm now asks questions of the 2nd Neg. trying to prove that the status quo is NOT the best
plan for a solution.
3 MINUTE PAUSE TIME TO ORGANIZE YOUR CONCLUSION (FINAL REBUTTAL)
NEGATIVE REBUTTAL (3 min)
This is a summary of your First and Second Negatives. No new arguments are to be presented,
although you can use new quotes to support your arguments. You need to recap and highlight your
strong points and try to “knock down” the Affirmative’s plan. Use all your time!
AFFIRMATIVE REBUTTAL (3 min)
Sum up your key points and explain why your plan is the best plan and why the Negative
team’s plan was not strong enough to prove your plan would not work. A powerful ending is to have a
new quote that summarizes and supports your ideas.
SHAKE HANDS WITH YOUR OPPONENTS. YOU ARE NOW FINISHED!