Rogue Valley Invitational at Crater High School Fall 2024
2024 — Central Point, OR/US
Parliamentary
Event Description:
13.3. Parliamentary Debate.
13.3.1. Team Size. In this debate form, there are two speakers to a team. The affirmative team is called the
Proposition. The negative team is called the Opposition.
13.3.2. Length and Order of Speeches.
7 minutes 1st Proposition constructive
8 minutes 1st Opposition constructive
8 minutes 2nd Proposition constructive
8 minutes 2nd Opposition constructive
4 minutes Opposition rebuttal (given by 1st Opposition speaker)
5 minutes Proposition rebuttal (given by 1st Proposition speaker)
13.3.3. Resolutions.
(a) There shall be three resolutions per round.
(b) One resolution shall be a policy resolution, one resolution shall be a value resolution and the third
resolution may be either a value or a policy resolution.
(c) The Affirmative team must affirm the resolution.
13.3.4. Topic Draw and Preparation Room Procedures.
(b) After examining the three-posted topics, teammates should discuss and prioritize the choices.
(c) When a team’s code number is called, the team may send up one representative topic proctor.
(d) The proctor shall ask the Proposition to strike first, then the Opposition. The remaining topic shall be
debated.
(e) The Proposition shall deliver the topics to the judge(s) in the competition room.
13.3.5. Materials allowed in the Parliamentary Debate Preparation Room and in the round.
(a) Paper
(b) Dictionary- not allowed in-round, only during preparation
(c) Pens or Pencils
(d) Electronic Devices may used in the Preparation room ONLY in alignment to the rules outlined in 12.12.
Electronic devices may be used to access the Internet, find definitions, statistics, or other background
information only.
(e) Pre-written arguments, handbooks, briefs, or outlines are prohibited from the prep room, whether
accessed electronically or present in hard copy form.
(f) No other items are to be used in the round or during preparation. Other people may not be used as
a resource.
13.3.6. Questions and Answers.
(a) In this debate form, there is no formal cross-examination period for the speakers.
(b) Instead, the speakers have the option to ask questions during the opponents’ constructive speeches.
(c) When a question is desired, the questioner will stand and raise a hand to be acknowledged by the
opponent who has two options:
(1) Say "No Thank You" and continue.
(2) Say "Proceed" and answer the question.
(d) Remember that the stopwatch will not stop for a question. Speakers must present their constructive
speeches and answer questions in the allowed time. Questions cannot be asked during the first and
last minute of the opponents’ constructive speeches. There shall be no questions during the rebuttals.
13.3.7. Judge Participation.
(b) The Judge is also responsible for letting the speakers know when to ask questions during the
constructive by "rapping on the desk" when the speaker is one minute into the constructive and
"rapping" again when one minute is left to speak.
(c) The Judge shall disregard any arguments made over the time limits. The Judge shall disregard new
arguments in rebuttals with the exception of the Proposition’s response to new arguments made in
the 2nd Opposition constructive. New examples, analysis, analogies, etc., which support previously
introduced arguments are permitted in rebuttal speeches.
(d) The Judge shall penalize misrepresentations of opponent’s arguments, personal attacks on opponents
and rudeness by reducing speaker points and factoring such infractions into the decision.
13.3.8. Heckling. No heckling is allowed other than supportive knocking, patting or applause.
13.3.9. Points of Order and Points of Personal Privilege are not allowed.
12. General Debate Rules. (Except for Congressional Debate)
12.10. Critiques. Judges may not provide oral critiques. All critiques including specific comments about the round and
general comments about debate strategies and philosophies shall be written on the ballot. A description of the judge’s
paradigm by the judge prior to the round shall not be considered an oral critique.
12.11. Disclosure. Except on the ballot, judges shall not disclose the outcome of a round with the participants in the round.
Further, judges shall not discuss the performance of students they have judged with those students at any time during
the tournament.
12.12. Guidelines for Electronic Device Use.
12.12.1. Computers or other electronic devices may not be used to receive information from any source (coaches
or assistant coaches included) inside or outside of the room in which the competition occurs. Internet
access, use of email, instant messaging, or other means of receiving information from sources inside or
outside the competition room are prohibited. (This does not prohibit non-electronic communication
between debate partners during prep time.)
12.12.2. Penalty. Contestants found to have violated provision 12.12.1 will forfeit the round of competition.
Contestants found to have violated provision 12.12.4 will be disqualified from the tournament and will
forfeit all rounds. The tournament director shall make the final decision concerning disqualification.
12.12.3. Availability of Evidence. Contestants electing to use computers have the responsibility to promptly
provide a copy of any evidence read in a speech for inspection by the judge or opponent. Printers may be
used. Evidence may be printed in the round or produced electronically but must be provided in a format
readable by the opposing team and the judge.
12.12.4. Contestants electing to use computers are responsible for providing their own computers, batteries,
extension cords, and all other necessary accessories. Tournament hosts will not be responsible for
providing computers, printers, software, paper, or extension cords for contestants.
12.12.5. Because public speaking decorum remains an important element of debate, all debaters are expected to
stand at the front of the room facing the judge while speaking.
12.12.6. Contestants choosing to use computers and related equipment accept the risk of equipment failure.
Judges and/or contest directors will give no special consideration or accommodation, including no
additional speech time or prep time, should equipment failure occur.
12.12.7. By choosing to use computers in the round, debaters are consenting to give tournament officials the right
to search their files. Debaters who do not wish to consent should not use computers in the round.