Rules and Structure For Classroom Debates

Pro
Structure: Introduction: Rebuttal: Questions from Class equally to Pro & Con alternating. If there is time the professor will participate Concluding Remarks: Total Time Pro & Con Time Allowance 5 minutes 3 minutes 5 minutes

Con
Time Allowance 5 minutes 3 minutes 5 minutes

5 minutes 18 minutes

5 minutes 18 minutes

Rules and responsibilities: 1.) Team members must meet together in preparation for the debate, so they can work together as an effective team. Each member 2.) The timekeeper will strictly enforce the time restrictions, providing a 30 second warning before the end of each section of the debate. 3.) All hand outs that will be disseminated during the debate need to be given to the opponents at least several days prior to the actual debate. 4.) All members of each side must participate in the debate. 5.) Do not read your materials. 6.) You may bring some brief notes, but you may not read them. 7.) Maintain good eye contact with the audience. 8.) Use proper language and be polite in referring to your opposing team 9.) The pro team should write the topic on the board before class begins, listing the names of each pro and con debater in a clear fashion. The timekeeper should distribute and tabulate the votes, report them to the class and turn them over to the professor. Bonus Points: The one person voted best debater receives some bonus points. The class time keeper receives bonus points for her/his efforts through the semester