This document provides an overview of the format and rules for middle school public debate programs. It explains that debates involve structured discussions between two opposing sides aimed at encouraging critical thinking, personal expression, and tolerance of differing opinions. Key aspects of debates covered include having a specific topic, clear proposition and opposition sides, and arguments supported by reasoning and evidence. The debate format involves five-minute constructive speeches from each side, followed by a ten-minute preparation period and three-minute rebuttals. Points of information and respectful heckling are also discussed.

1. Classroom Debate

2. MIDDLE SCHOOL PUBLIC
DEBATE PROGRAM FORMAT
 The material from this power point is
based on the Middle School Public
Debate Program and is taken from the
book “Speak Out!”
 By Kate Shuster and John Meany, 2005
 PowerPoint by Maureen Sikora,
 St. Paul School, Burlington, NJ

3. What is DEBATE?
A debate is a discussion between sides
with different views. Persons speak for or
against something before making a
decision.
Debates are a means of encouraging:
 • critical thinking
 • personal expression
 • tolerance of others' opinions.

4. Debates are organized!
 This means there are rules for debating!
 Unlike an argument you might have with a
brother, sister, or classmate, a debate involves
the following:
 An argument (a well-explained opinion)
 It is on a SPECIFIC topic
 It is polar (has clear sides for or
against)
 Arguments use Reasoning and
Evidence to support opinion.

5. Why Debate?
 The debate process allows us
to analyze the similarities and
differences in our views in a
respectful manner.
 Debates allow us to develop
our public speaking skills,
 Express our views without
being interrupted,
 Listen to the views of others,
 Develop our ability to reason,
persuade, and think critically
over different topics.

6. Debate are like a trial
 There are 2 sides to a U.S. criminal trial:
The prosecution and the defense.
Prosecution: makes the case against the
defendant, and must prove the defendant is guilty
for violating a specific law, by including evidence.
Evidence can include: eyewitnesses, confession
statements, videotapes, or other physical or
circumstantial evidence.
Prosecuting attorney must
persuade the jury that the person is
guilty beyond reasonable doubt!

7. The Defense:
 Must prove the prosecuting attorney is wrong,
 Must persuade the jury that there IS reasonable
doubt about the prosecutor's statements.
 Mission is to demonstrate the prosecution side
failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable
doubt.
 Must find the holes in the prosecution
statements.

8. 2 sides of the debate
 Proposition team has the same job as a
prosecuting attorney: to prove a case.
 Responsible for making its case to prove
their assertion.
 Does this by providing EVIDENCE!!!
 Find as much support through: expert
opinions, statistics, research. Arm
themselves with facts!!!

9. Opposition side:
 Like the defense attorney:
 Their job is to find the holes in the
proposition’s reasoning and
evidence.
To do this you need to LISTEN!!! And
ANTICIPATE what arguments your
proposition will make.
 PROVE that the proposition side has NOT
made its case.
 Use your own arguments (With evidence)
to prove they are incorrect.

10. Debate format speaking order
and time limits:
 First speaker, Proposition Team: 5 minutes
This is the constructive phase: builds their case by
giving several reasons for their argument by using
EVIDENCE.
First speaker, opposition team: 5 minutes
This is the constructive phase, builds their case
against the argument.
Second speaker: proposition 5 minutes
(constructive)
Second speaker: opposition 5 minutes (constructive)
Work period to build your rebuttal (10 minutes)

11. Rebuttal phase:
3 minutes each side
Opposition rebuttal is first! (Third speaker of the
team).
Mission is to win the debate for the team, finalize the
refutation of the proposition’s main arguments.
Summarizes their issues. END WITH A PUNCH!
Proposition Rebuttal speaks last. Summarizes their
main points FOR the case, refutes the oppositions
arguments, and explains why their team should win.
No New arguments
Are allowed in this
Phase.

12. Debate materials
 Before the debate or during a preparation
time, each side may review information that
would help them prepare for the debate.
You may use the computer, books, consult
with teachers, classmates , etc.
 Once the debate begins, you MAY NOT
REVIEW OR USE any material or notes that
were not prepared during the prep period.
ONLY YOUR OWN notes in front of you.
 YOU MAY NOT read a prepared speech
during a debate. KNOW What you
are going to say, practice it!!

13. Points of Interest
A point of information (POI) is a request to
the speaker to surrender some of his time
for a comment by the opposing team.
 The speaker may accept or reject a POI.
 If he accepts, the POI cannot be longer
than 15 seconds. The speaker accepts
only a single point at a time.

14. Heckling
 A heckle is an interruption of a speaker during his
presentation.
 This is done to applaud teammates. It us done by
slapping your hand on the table 2 or 3 times. It is like
an applause, except you are using the table as a
second hand.
 It is a way to show respect and support.
 It is NOT a way to boo someone, or put their ideas
down.
 Never use them to distract the
speaker or to continually interrupt.
 Do NOT get carried away with
heckling or points can be deducted
by the judges.
 Judges may reward respectful use
of heckling.