ONTARIO PRO-CON DEBATING FORUM
Rules of Debate
All debaters are responsible for being familiar with the following rules.
A team consists of four debaters, two to debate the affirmative side and two to debate the negative side. You will not change sides throughout your three rounds of debate. Also, you may not switch between first and second speaker during the tournament.
1. Defining the resolution. It is the responsibility of the first affirmative to define the resolution, or outline the terms of the debate. It must be defined in a reasonable and straightforward manner. You are not allowed to “squirrel” the resolution ( define it in such a way that you are actually debating for the other side ) or define it in an outrageous and ridiculous manner. You are also not allowed to define it in such a way that it becomes undebatable ( this is called a truism ). You will be penalized for doing this, with the maximum penalty being loss of the debate. The negative team however must accept the definition and debate on those terms. If they strongly disagree they are allowed to state their displeasure during their speeches. The judge will take this into consideration when scoring.
When delivering your speeches, you should not read your material, nor should you have it memorized. You will also be marked on tone, style, deportment, persuasiveness, eye contact and mannerism.
2. Each constructive speech will be five minutes in length. In this speech, you are expected to introduce arguments supporting your side of the resolution. The negative side is also expected to refute the arguments of the affirmative side. If they fail to do this then they cannot win the debate. You are allowed 15 seconds grace at the end of your speech to finish your concluding remarks. After this grace period, the timer will stand and you must stop talking. Should you continue to speak beyond the grace period, you will be penalized. The same holds true for the rebuttal, which is three minutes in length. You are not allowed to introduce new information in your rebuttal.
3. There are a few rules that apply to the cross examination.
a) You must ask direct questions. You are not allowed to make statements in the hope that it will strengthen your argument. If you wish to comment on what the witness has said during his/her answering, then you must wait until your speech or rebuttal.
b) You are not allowed to simply demand a “yes or no” answer. The witness is allowed to justify his/her answer.
c) You must answer all questions as asked. If you evade a question, you will be penalized. However, you are not required to answer questions of a personal nature.
d) You are allowed a maximum of approximately 30 seconds to answer a question. Should you exceed this and not allow the next question to be asked, then you will be penalized. However, if a you answer the question appropriately before 30 seconds, and continue to babble and not allow the next question to be asked, then you will also be penalized.
e) The examiner is not allowed to cut off the witness before he/she has had time to appropriately answer the question. However, after the question has been answered, or after 30 seconds, you are allowed to stop the witness with a “thank you” and continue with the next question.
f) The witness is not allowed to ask any questions. If the examiner points this out to judge, then the witness will be penalized. However, the witness is allowed to ask the examiner for clarification.
g) The examiner should ask only relevant questions ( or be leading up to a relevant question ), and must not be discourteous in any way.
4. You are not allowed to use visual aids such as pictures, props, audio or video devices. You are allowed to bring newspapers, books etc. from which you may read a quotation.
5. In general, all debaters must act in a courteous and polite manner. You must not attempt to browbeat, belittle or insult an opponent. Remember, “attack the point, not the person”. You are not allowed to heckle, or speak when someone else has the floor. If a debater lowers the tone of the debate, he/she will be penalized. If, in an extreme case, your opponent is very obnoxious and insulting, please feel free to contact a member of the executive, or the convenor of the tournament before the tournament is completed.
6. You will not be given any comments from the judges. You will receive all ballots and score sheets after the awards have been given out. If there has been a mistake in any of the results, or if you have a complaint, please feel free to contact the appropriate personnel.
FORMAT AND SPEAKING TIMES
ONTARIO PRO-CON DEBATING FORUM
PREPARED ROUNDS:
1st Affirmative constructive speech 5 min.
1st Affirmative cross-examined by 2nd Negative 3 min.
1st Negative constructive speech 5 min.
1st Negative cross-examined by 1st Affirmative 3 min.
2nd Affirmative constructive speech 5 min.
2nd Affirmative cross-examined by 1st Negative 3 min.
2nd Negative constructive speech 5 min.
2nd Negative cross-examined by 2nd Affirmative 3 min.
Preparation for Rebuttals 5 min.
1st Negative rebuttal 3 min.
1st Affirmative rebuttal 3 min.
2nd Negative rebuttal 3 min.
2nd Affirmative rebuttal 3 min.
IMPROMPTU ROUND:
The order of speakers remains the same. All constructive speeches are 4 minutes in length, cross-examination is 2 minutes in length, and rebuttals are 2 minutes long.
(2005/10/05)
