What is Public Forum Debate? Public Forum Debate is essentially an oral communication advocacy exercise done with a partner. Each team of two advocate either in favor of ( PRO ) or against ( CON ) a resolution by proposing three to four arguments supporting their position. With those arguments laid out in opining speeches, each side chooses the most important arguments to defend or attack. Using skills in cross-examination and the introduction of evidence, the debaters clarify, extend their own points, and expose weaknesses and/or contradictions in the oppositions' arguments. Through a series of constructive and rebuttal speeches, the PRO and CON sides will, in thirty-five minutes, seek to persuade a citizen judge of the merits of their position. Sample topics: Resolved: Commercial airline pilots should be armed in the cockpit Resolved: The death penalty should be abolished in America Resolved: That Congress should repeal the No Child Left Behind Act The benefits of debate are numerous. Some of the more important ones are: 1) the opportunity to demonstrate and improve oral and non-verbal communication skills; 2) engage in controversy and learn to argue effectively; 3) research current issues and expand one's knowledge base; 4) work collaboratively and learn to support a partner; 5) think on one's feet and learn to adapt with quick effective responses. The citizen judges are drawn from a large talent pool including educators, legislators, people in the media, parents, non-governmental staff, retirees, and policy makers. Judges are asked to make their decision on the basis of the analysis of the resolution, the evidence presented, the expansion of the arguments, and the debaters' delivery and rebuttal skills. Public Forum Debate does not seek solutions to problems. It is not designed to replace policy debate. Rather it is an exercise in competitive argumentation that offers students an opportunity to discuss current issues in a structured format. This style of debate strives for a general audience who want to be entertained as well as to learn. Public Forum Debate is a recognized co-curricular activity of the Vermont Principals Association and is organized by the Vermont Debate and Forensics League. |