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The Bergen County Debate League Rules & Guidelines

Ms. Stolerman -TJ Novice League Preparation 2013-2014. The Bergen County Debate League Rules & Guidelines. Important Events & Guidelines. League Events : Judge’s Clinic Baylor Clinic Varsity & JV Tournaments Novice Tournaments Novice Schools should compete in at least 5 tournaments!

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The Bergen County Debate League Rules & Guidelines

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  1. Ms. Stolerman-TJ Novice League Preparation 2013-2014 The Bergen County Debate League Rules & Guidelines

  2. Important Events & Guidelines • League Events: • Judge’s Clinic • Baylor Clinic • Varsity & JV Tournaments • Novice Tournaments Novice Schools should compete in at least 5 tournaments! Debates: October -April • School should provide 1 judge for every 2 teams • Host school must appoint time keepers for each debate • Ballots & results of a debate to be revealed at the end of a tournament! • Novice tournaments take place after school – 2 rounds (1 Aff/1 Neg)

  3. Participants in a Debate: • 1st Affirmative • 2nd Affirmative • 1st Cross-examination of Affirmative speaker • 2nd Cross-examination of Affirmative Speaker • Affirmative Rebuttal • 1st Negative • 2nd Negative • 1st Cross-examination of Negative speaker • 2nd Cross-examination of Negative speaker • Negative Rebuttal Judge & Time Keeper

  4. The Responsibility of the AFFIRMATIVE • The Affirmative chooses an area within the topic on which they wish to debate. • The Burden of Proof lies with the Affirmative! Goal: • Demonstrate/show that there is a problem with the present system • Show there is a need for change • Show the status quo is not meeting resolving the problem. AFFIRMATIVE must offer a PLAN to meet these needs!!

  5. The “5 Pillars” of Debate • The Affirmative Plan must adhere to the “5 Pillars” of Debate: • Necessity/Inherency • Topicality • Feasibility • Fundability • Efficacy/Solvency

  6. Necessity/Inherency: The plan addresses a problem in need of a solution

  7. Topicality The Plan meets the requirements of the topic within the resolution

  8. Feasibility The Plan can be executed by available physical means

  9. Fundability The Plan is fully paid for as explained by a detailed accounting

  10. Efficacy/Solvency The plan will solve the given problem

  11. WARNING The Affirmative Team MUST support their assertions with reasonable evidence, which will determine the quality of their presentation.

  12. The Responsibility of the NEGATIVE • The Negative must “clash” with the opponents and argue against the viability of the Affirmative’s plan and/or assertions. • The Negative may demonstrate that the present system is working and that there is no need for a change (defend the status quo). • The Negative must support their assertions with reasonable evidence, which will determine the quality of their presentation

  13. Challenges  • A Team can challenge the existence of a quote or piece of evidence only if they feel it has been fabricated or grossly distorted. • The Negative can challenge a definition stated by the Affirmative only during the 1st Negative constructive speech. • Challenges must be made known to the judge as soon as possible & before the end of the debate. • The Judge must note the details of the challenge, including the citation in question, on the ballot.

  14. Counter-Plan  • A counter plan may not be proposed by either team at any time! • Definition: alternative to the affirmative’s plan that is described in the same detail as in the 2nd Affirmative speech. (Mentioning an alternative in one sentence is not a counter-plan) • Penalty: 0 for the speech in which the counter-plan is proposed.

  15. Dress Code • A presentable appearance is appropriate when representing your school. Boys: suit, sport jacket, dress shirt, sport/dress trousers, necktie, sport/dress shoes. (Varsity) Good, neat, and presentable “school clothes” at JV and Novice level. Girls: appropriate dress, squirt, or suit Judges: Should follow the same code as debators NO: Jeans, sweat suits, sweatshirts, sneakers, hats, or costumes.

  16. Electronics  • NO ELECTRONIC DEVICES of any kind are allowed during a debate. • (Calculators, cell phones, computers, etc. ) • Penalty: Automatic loss of the round and zero points awarded for the segment in which the device was used.

  17. Fiat Power • Fiat Power provides that the Affirmative plan will be adopted provided that the affirmative team gives convincing arguments for adoption. It cannot be debated by either team. • Deduction points for debating Fiat Power will be left up to the judge’s discretion, but will not exceed 3 points.

  18. Joke Debate  • Definition: a frivolous presentation which does not seriously engage the opposing team in an intelligent clash of ideas related to the debate theme and whose primary purpose is to entertain and/or play to the amusement of the classroom audience. • If a judge believes a joke debate is taking place, they must immediately terminate the debate and bring it to the attention of the coaches present. • Penalties: automatic loss of round, disqualification of team’s school from any awards won at that tournament, disciplinary action by school district

  19. Obnoxious Points  • No debater is allowed to act in a rude or overly intimidating manner. Any debater who exhibits such behavior will be given an “obnoxious point” (reduction of team score by 1 point) by the judge. Must be written on ballot at the point where the instance occurred. • 5 “obnoxious points” = suspended from next tournament • If 5th obnoxious point earned in last tournament of the season, the team’s scores will be disallowed!

  20. Tie Score :/ In the event of a tie, the Negative Team WINS!

  21. Visual Aids :/ • Visual Aids are NOT allowed! • Definition: any object that needs to be present in order for any statement made by any debater to make sense. • Ex: charts, graphs, flags, pictures, videos, costumes, songs, dances, etc. • Any attempt to involve the judge/audience will be seen as a visual aid • Penalty: Loss of debate

  22. Procedures During Tournament for Debaters: • Each debater must write their name and ID/# on the board. • The Affirmative team must write the resolution (THBT) on the board. Neither team is allowed to reveal the names of their schools!!!

  23. Sequence & Time Limits • 1stAff Constructive • 1stNeg cross-x • 1stNeg Constructive • 1stAffcross –x • 2ndAff Constructive • 2ndNeg cross-x • 2ndNeg Constructive • 2ndAff cross-x • Rebuttal Prep Time • Negative Rebuttal • Affirmative Rebuttal • 4.5-5.0 minutes • 2 minutes • 4.0 – 5.0 minutes • 2.0 minutes • 4.5-5.0 minutes • 2.0 minutes • 4.0-5.0 minutes • 2.0 minutes • 3.0 minutes • 3.0 minutes • 3.0 minutes = 37 minute Total

  24. Constructive Speeches • 5 minutes. If STOP card is held up by the time keeper, the speaker may finish their sentence at the pleasure of the judge. • Judged on merit and one speaker’s defense under cross-examination • During the 1st Affirmative, the terms of the resolution should be defined and a 30 sec outline of plan must be given. • No details of the Affirmative’s plan should be given during the 1st Affirmative constructive.

  25. Constructive Speeches Continued • If the Negative speaker asks for details of the Affirmative’s plan during the 1stNeg cross-x, the Affirmative speaker should respond, “My partner will handle that.” Negative must show: • There is a serious flaw in the Affirmative’s plan. • They must negate the Affirmative Team’s arguments or • Prove that the stated need is exaggerated or non-existent, and that the Affirmative’s plan is unnecessary!

  26. Constructive Speeches Continued • Each member of each teem must give one constructive speech. • Rapid fire speech is discouraged.

  27. Cross-Examination • Cross-examiners MUST ASK QUESTIONS and NOT make statements! • The person being cross-examined may extend their answer beyond “yes” or “no”. • If a question is asked and the STOP card is raised by the time keeper, the cross-examinee has a choice to answer or not. • Each member of each team must conduct a cross-examination.

  28. Rebuttals • 3 minutes preparation time. • Negative Team can choose to “wave” their time and start their rebuttal immediately following the 2nd Affirmative cross-examination. • No new arguments may be presented during any rebuttal. Penalty: no points awarded for the rebuttal. New evidence, however, is allowed and encouraged!

  29. At the End of a Debate No member of their team may approach the judge for any reason at the conclusion of a debate round!!!!!

  30. Judges & Time Keepers • Please See Ms. Stolerman on the designated date to receive special training!

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