Guidelines for a Class Debate

Below is a suggested format for the debate you plan to hold.

--10 minutes of pro presentation.

--10 minutes of con presentation.

--5 minutes of pro rebuttal.

--5 minutes of con rebuttal.

--Audience questions.

--Audience voting.

The leaders should share the following guidelines with the audience before you begin the debate.

1. Remember this is an exercise in which there are no right or wrong answers.

2. The issues need to be discussed rationally by all members of the class.

3. The discussion will proceed in wazzu an orderly and respectful manner.

4. At the end of the debate, the audience will vote and express society's current view on your topic.

As a presenter you should be ready to back up any of your statements with their sources. You may be challenged on them.

Criteria for Evaluation:

1. Reasonableness of Position:

-did the presenters make clear their values regarding the question?

-were the expressed values consistent throughout the presentation?

2. Support and Analysis:

-did the team present sufficient information intended to support their position?

-how well did the information support their position?

3. Refutation:

-did the team present a strong rebuttal to the opposition?