Riverhawk Invitational

2024 — Pasco, WA/US

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Open Public Forum

Event Description:

Public Forum involves opposing teams of two, debating a topic concerning a current event. Proceeding a coin toss, the winners choose which side to debate (PRO or CON) or which speaker position they prefer (1st or 2nd), and the other team receives the remaining option. Students present cases, engage in rebuttal and refutation, and also participate in a “crossfire” (similar to a cross examination) with the opportunity to question the opposing team.
The goal for each team in Public Forum is to convince the judge that their side of the debate is preferable. The judge is responsible for evaluating each team’s arguments and deter- mining which side presented their position more effectively. (NSDA)

Structure:
• Development (Construction)
• Exchange (Clarification)
• Clash (Deconstruction)
• Extension (development or Rebuttal)
• Perspective (framing) (Shawn Briscoe)
Please remember that students may not have a choice in which side of the topic they are debating. Please do not judge only on whether or not you agree with a debater. Do not judge them on what you think they should have said or if they left something out if their opponent does not bring it up (though you can include it as a comment to help them in future tournaments).