This document outlines the roles and procedures for a debate. It discusses that there will be one opening statement presenter, three statement/rebuttal presenters, and one closing statement presenter. It provides guidance for each role, including developing original arguments for the opening statement, taking detailed notes during the other team's statements to strengthen rebuttals, and creating an outline for the closing statement to summarize the entire argument. The document also reviews the debate rules, such as two-minute time limits for each speaker and a prohibition on reading statements word-for-word. It provides an agenda for students to meet to assign roles, write statements, incorporate research, anticipate rebuttals, and rehearse their arguments.

1. The Great Debate

2. The Roles…
• Opening Statement Presenter (1)
• Statement/Rebuttal Presenters (3)
• Closing Statement Presenter (1)

3. Opening Statement
• Gather your primary arguments into an opening statement
• Succinct
• No nonsense
• “This is true because of A, B, and C”
• Create original and creative arguments
• Give your team an ADVANTAGE
• Everyone has read the book…use close reading, archetypes, and
literary devices
• RESEARCH…use examples from other books, movies, history, etc.
as evidence for your claim, make it relevant to your audience

4. Statement/Rebuttal
• One will be refuting the opening statement
• Take notes
• Come up with “general” rebuttals…you know what character you’ll be
debating against, use it to your advantage
• One will be refuting the other team’s rebuttal
• Take DETAILED notes, make sure to write down key phrases
• When acknowledging the other team’s argument…which you should
(often), make sure to follow debate etiquette
• “My opponent stated…”
• DIRECT quotes and phrases from their argument will strengthen your own

5. Closing Statement
• Do NOT merely restate the opening statement
• Must summarize entire argument
• Create an OUTLINE for your closing statement…take notes to fill
in certain parts
• If you want to play on emotions…now would be the time

6. Rules and Regs…
• You may have notecards…but you may not read word for word
off of them (even opening/closing statements)
• STRICT 2 minute time limit per person
• You may not talk unless you are at the podium, including audience
members
• Will be a part of your grade…
• OBJECTIVE (stay away from superlatives) sentence starters,
ACCOUNTABLE talk
• Debate language, posture, attitude, speech
• If you ever reference the book…be sure to reference the page,
“In F451 on page…”

7. Agenda for today…meet in groups
• Assign roles/order
• Opening Statement
• Statement 1/Rebuttal 1
• Statement 2/Rebuttal 2
• Statement 3/Rebuttal 3
• Closing Statement
• Create Opening/Closing statements
• Incorporate research
• Create potential rebuttal situations
• REHEARSE, time your arguments