Black Bear Debate Tournament
2022 — Online, CA/US
Public Forum
Event Description:
PUBLIC FORUM
- Topic: The United States Federal Government should substantially increase its investment in high-speed rail.
Rules:
Public Forum Debate (PFD) is a team event that advocates or rejects a position posed by the monthly resolution topic. The clash of ideas must be communicated in a manner persuasive to the non-specialist or “lay judge”, i.e. a member of the American jury. The debate should:
- Display solid logic, lucid reasoning, and depth of analysis
- Utilize evidence without being driven by it
- Present a clash of ideas by countering/refuting arguments of the opposing team (rebuttal)
- Communicate ideas with clarity, organization, eloquence, and professional decorum
Times
Speaker 1 (Team A, 1st speaker ).........................4 min.
Speaker 2 (Team B, 1st speaker)...........................4 min.
Crossfire (between speakers 1 & 2).................3 min.
Speaker 3 (Team A, 2nd speaker ) .......................4 min.
Speaker 4 (Team B, 2nd speaker )........................4 min.
Crossfire (between speakers 3 & 4).................3 min.
Speaker 1 Summary..................................................3 min.
Speaker 2 Summary..................................................3 min.
Grand Crossfire (all speakers) ........................3 min.
Speaker 3 Final Focus...............................................2 min.
Speaker 4 Final Focus...............................................2 min.
Each team may use up to three minutes of prep time.