The document below details some of what students need to know to prosper in Parnassus. Click on the images to return to class or home pages.

This page is maintained by Tim Jollymore at Skyline High School, Oakland, California. Please email your kind comments and questions to The Oracle at Delphi . . Copyright 2001, Tim Jollymore. Last up dated 9/14/08

Class Debate Format

OPENING STATEMENTS

Affirmative - Affirmative Speaker A. Opening statements (one minute): Gives the context of the problem, states the resolution in some way, tells the audience the team's position and outlines the supports that may be used. This should be written out before the debate. May not attack the other side in this opening.

Negative - Negative Speaker A. Opening statements (one minute): See above.

CONSTRUCTIVE STATEMENTS

Affirmative - Affirmative Speaker B. (3.5 minutes): Build the integrity of your case as strongly as possible. Use the arguments you have identified supported by authorities, quotations, deductive arguments, inductive arguments and EXAMPLES. What would happen if . . . ? Again, one may not attack the other side in this constructive statement.

Negative - Negative Speaker B. 3.5minutes): See above.

REBUTTALS

Negative - Negative Speaker A. (2 minutes): Attack WEAKNESSES in the other side. (not ad hominem). No new arguments may be entered here; only counterarguments to the opposing side.

Affirmative - Affirmative Speaker A. (2 minutes): See above.

SUMMATIONS

Affirmative - Affirmative Speaker B 1 minute: Offer a summary of what this side has accomplished and what has been proven. No new arguments; no attacks or rebuttals.

Negative - Negative Speaker B. 1 minute: see above

QUESTIONS

Due to time constraints only one question of clarification or expansion may be asked by the listener/judges. The question should not be partisan or leading and will be answered in short form (30 seconds or less) by the either Affirmative speaker, first, and, then, by either Negative speaker.