Congressional Debate (aka CD)
This is individual debate in a large group setting. Congressional Debate models the legislative process of democracy, specifically, the United States Congress. Students optionally write legislation submitted by their coach to a tournament, and they research the docket of bills and resolutions distributed by each tournament. At the tournament, students set an agenda of what legislation to discuss, they debate the merits and disadvantages of each, and they vote to pass or defeat the measures they have examined. Parliamentary procedure forms structure for debate, and students extemporaneously respond to each others’ arguments over the course of a session. Congressional Debate is a valuable learning exercise, because students familiarize themselves with current social and political problems and learn appropriate behavior and rules for formal meetings. Contestants are evaluated by judges for their research and analysis of issues, argumentation, skill in asking and answering questions, use of parliamentary procedure, and clarity and fluency of speaking.
Congressional Debate Resources/Videos
Lincoln Douglas Debate (aka LD)
This popular style of debating features one person on each side. Lincoln Douglas Debate centers on a proposition of value, which concerns itself with what ought to be instead of what is. A value is an ideal held by individuals, societies, governments, etc. One debater upholds each side of the resolution from a value perspective. To that end, no plan (or counter plan) should be offered. A plan is defined by the NFL as a formalized, comprehensive proposal for implementation. The debate should focus on logical reasoning to support a general principle instead of particular plans and counter plans. Debaters may offer generalized, practical examples or solutions to illustrate how the general principle could guide decisions. Topics change every two months.
Lincoln Douglas Debate Resources/Videos
Policy Debate (aka CX Debate)
Debaters work in pairs (teams) to address the school year's topic, either from the affirmative side (to propose a plan to solve a problem with the topic), or the negative side (to prove how the affirmative’s plan is flawed). Argumentation includes a constructive case, cross-examination, and refutation. Skills learned include research, policy analysis, case building, refutation, questioning, organization and communication.
Policy Debate Resources/Videos
Public Forum Debate (aka PF)
Public Forum Debate is audience friendly debate. you and a partner will debate controversial issues that are "stripped" from the newspaper headlines. A new topic will be announced the first day of each preceding month at www.nflonline.org. A Public Forum Debate round begins with a flip of a coin between the competing teams to determine your side and speaker position. Public forum will test your skills in argumentation, cross-examination, and refutation.
Public Forum Debate Resources/Videos
Supplemental Debate
The new event modifies existing rules of Parliamentary Debate to address the needs of a supplemental event at nationals. The one-on-one debate format will address a topic that changes each round. The debate does not permit published material to be used or consulted during the round, but debaters may reference scholarly work in their speeches. Debaters will not read pre-written speeches, briefs, or evidence. Instead, debaters speak impromptu from a few notes that record the arguments the other debater made, as well as outline his/her own main points. Each of these points should be signposted, explained, supported by relevant facts and examples, and given impact. Debaters must learn to think on their feet, adding and elaborating upon arguments while speaking. However, unlike Parliamentary Debate, all time is protected. A speaker may not interrupt another. There is designated cross-examination of the proposition and opposition by the opposing debater immediately following the constructive speeches.
This is individual debate in a large group setting. Congressional Debate models the legislative process of democracy, specifically, the United States Congress. Students optionally write legislation submitted by their coach to a tournament, and they research the docket of bills and resolutions distributed by each tournament. At the tournament, students set an agenda of what legislation to discuss, they debate the merits and disadvantages of each, and they vote to pass or defeat the measures they have examined. Parliamentary procedure forms structure for debate, and students extemporaneously respond to each others’ arguments over the course of a session. Congressional Debate is a valuable learning exercise, because students familiarize themselves with current social and political problems and learn appropriate behavior and rules for formal meetings. Contestants are evaluated by judges for their research and analysis of issues, argumentation, skill in asking and answering questions, use of parliamentary procedure, and clarity and fluency of speaking.
Congressional Debate Resources/Videos
Lincoln Douglas Debate (aka LD)
This popular style of debating features one person on each side. Lincoln Douglas Debate centers on a proposition of value, which concerns itself with what ought to be instead of what is. A value is an ideal held by individuals, societies, governments, etc. One debater upholds each side of the resolution from a value perspective. To that end, no plan (or counter plan) should be offered. A plan is defined by the NFL as a formalized, comprehensive proposal for implementation. The debate should focus on logical reasoning to support a general principle instead of particular plans and counter plans. Debaters may offer generalized, practical examples or solutions to illustrate how the general principle could guide decisions. Topics change every two months.
Lincoln Douglas Debate Resources/Videos
Policy Debate (aka CX Debate)
Debaters work in pairs (teams) to address the school year's topic, either from the affirmative side (to propose a plan to solve a problem with the topic), or the negative side (to prove how the affirmative’s plan is flawed). Argumentation includes a constructive case, cross-examination, and refutation. Skills learned include research, policy analysis, case building, refutation, questioning, organization and communication.
Policy Debate Resources/Videos
Public Forum Debate (aka PF)
Public Forum Debate is audience friendly debate. you and a partner will debate controversial issues that are "stripped" from the newspaper headlines. A new topic will be announced the first day of each preceding month at www.nflonline.org. A Public Forum Debate round begins with a flip of a coin between the competing teams to determine your side and speaker position. Public forum will test your skills in argumentation, cross-examination, and refutation.
Public Forum Debate Resources/Videos
Supplemental Debate
The new event modifies existing rules of Parliamentary Debate to address the needs of a supplemental event at nationals. The one-on-one debate format will address a topic that changes each round. The debate does not permit published material to be used or consulted during the round, but debaters may reference scholarly work in their speeches. Debaters will not read pre-written speeches, briefs, or evidence. Instead, debaters speak impromptu from a few notes that record the arguments the other debater made, as well as outline his/her own main points. Each of these points should be signposted, explained, supported by relevant facts and examples, and given impact. Debaters must learn to think on their feet, adding and elaborating upon arguments while speaking. However, unlike Parliamentary Debate, all time is protected. A speaker may not interrupt another. There is designated cross-examination of the proposition and opposition by the opposing debater immediately following the constructive speeches.