Westwood Debate 11-12
MINI-DEBATE ASSIGNMENT
Intro
We will complete 1 mini-debate per day at the first half of the block and use the last half of the block to
continue our lessons on policy debate practice and strategy. If we run out of time by the end of the 1st 6
weeks we will do 2 mini-debates per day.
FORMAT
1st Aff constructive – 2 minutes
Cross-examination – 2 minutes
st
1 Neg constructive – 3 minutes
Cross-examination – 2 minutes
st
1 Aff Rebuttal – 3minutes
1st negative rebuttal – 2 minutes
Preparation time: 1 minute
TOPICS
Each pair must agree on a resolution to debate. You can take a resolution from the list of past topics OR
create a resolution on your own and submit it for approval to Mr. Martin.
REQUIREMENTS
- Each team must write a case for their constructive speech
- The case must be typed and printed
- The case must have at least 2 contentions.
o Students may CHOOSE to do independent research for their contention, but it is not a
requirement of this assignment. Students that DO include researched evidence must
provide FULL CITATIONS – anything less is considered plagiarism.
 Full citation includes: Author First and Last name, qualifications, publication date
[“Article title” publication. WEBSITE/URL]
 Jeremy Martin, debate teacher at Westwood, 9-9-2010 [“Mini-debates starting in
debate 1 class” New york times. www.nyt.com]
- Teams must DISCLOSE their cases to their opponents to help prepare for good clash!
Mini-debate Assessment
Each student will be graded on the speech and cross-x period
DELIVERY
- Volume - spoke loudly and clearly so that all could hear
- Variety - varied pitch and tone
- Eye contact - made eye contact with whole audience at appropriate times
ARGUMENT QUALITY
- Clarity - arguments had a clear claim, warrant, and impact
- Evidence – debater used strong warrants to support their claims
- Impacts – debater told the judge why they should care!
CLASH
- Refutation - opponent’s arguments were responded to
- Rebuilding – debater extended and reestablished arguments
- Organization – debate used Signposting to clash
CROSS-EXAMINATION
- Effectiveness - used cross-x time to effectively point out flaws and
establish arguments
- Questions - asked questions! Didn’t just make arguments
1 = excellent; 2 = meets expectations; 3 = below expectations; 4 = unmet/unacceptable
Westwood Debate 11-12
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