DEBATE RUBRICS

CRITERIA 4 3 2 1
Completely Clear Unclear and
Organization and Mostly clear and Clear in some parts
and orderly disorganized
Clarity orderly in all parts but not overall
Presentation throughout
Few or no real
Very strong and Many good Some decent
arguments given, or
persuasive arguments given, arguments, but
Use of Argument all arguments given
arguments given with only minor some significant
had significant
throughout problems problems
problems
Poor cross-exam or
Decent cross-exam rebuttal, failure to
Excellent cross-
Use of cross- Good cross-exam and/or rebuttal, point out problems
exam and defense
examination and rebuttals, with but with some in Affirmative
against the
Rebuttal only slip-ups significant team’s position or
opposing team
problems failure to defend
itself against attack.
Few style features
Very few style
All style features Most style features were used
features were used,
were used were used convincingly.
none of them
convincingly. convincingly. Almost followed
convincingly. Did
Followed the Almost followed the suggested time
Presentation Style not follow the
suggested time the suggested time duration during the
suggested time
duration during the duration during the opening however
duration neither
opening and opening and exceeded on the
during the opening
rebuttal. rebuttal. suggested time
and rebuttal.
during the rebuttal.
Total
DEBATE FLOW [FROM LEBEAU, HARRINGTON, LUBETSKY (2000
AS CITED IN KRIEGER, 2005)]
Speech 1: The first affirmative speaker introduces the topic and states the affirmative team's first
argument. (3-5 minutes)

Speech 2: The first negative speaker states their first argument. (3-5 minutes)

Speech 3: The second affirmative speaker states their second argument. (3-5 minutes)

Speech 4: The second negative speaker states their second argument. (3-5 minutes)

*RECESS*
(preparation for the rebuttal)

Speech 5: The negative team states two rebuttals for the affirmative team's two arguments and
summarizes their own two reasons. (5-8 minutes)

Speech 6: The affirmative team states two rebuttals for the negative team's two arguments and
summarizes their own two reasons. (5-8 minutes)

Speech 7: The negative team states two rebuttals for the affirmative team's two arguments and
summarizes their own two reasons. (5-8 minutes)

Speech 8: The affirmative team states two rebuttals for the negative team's two arguments and
summarizes their own two reasons. (5-8 minutes)

Speech 9: The negative team states two rebuttals for the affirmative team's other arguments and
summarizes their own two reasons. (5-8 minutes)

Speech 10: The affirmative team states two rebuttals for the negative team's two arguments and
summarizes their own two reasons. (5-8 minutes)

Speech 9: The negative team states their closing arguments. (3-5 minutes)

Speech 10: The affirmative team states their closing arguments (3-5 minutes)