The Bergen County Debate League Rules & Guidelines

Ms. Stolerman -TJ Novice League Preparation 2013-2014

Important Events & Guidelines League Events:

Judge’s Clinic Baylor Clinic Varsity & JV

Tournaments Novice Tournaments

Novice Schools shouldcompete 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)

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 RebuttalJudge & Time Keeper

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: 1. Demonstrate/show that there is a problem with

the present system 2. Show there is a need for change 3. Show the status quo is not meeting resolving

the problem. AFFIRMATIVE must offer a PLAN to meet

these needs!!

The “5 Pillars” of Debate The Affirmative Plan must adhere to

the “5 Pillars” of Debate:▪Necessity/Inherency▪Topicality▪Feasibility▪Fundability▪Efficacy/Solvency

Necessity/Inherency:

The plan addresses a problem in need of a solution

Topicality

The Plan meets the requirements of the topic

within the resolution

Feasibility

The Plan can be executed by available physical means

Fundability

The Plan is fully paid for as explained by a detailed

accounting

Efficacy/Solvency

The plan will solve the given problem

WARNING

The Affirmative Team MUST support their assertions with reasonable

evidence, which will determine the quality of their presentation.

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

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.

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.

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 suitJudges: Should follow the same code as

debators

NO: Jeans, sweat suits, sweatshirts, sneakers, hats, or costumes.

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.

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.

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

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!

Tie Score :/

In the event of a tie, the Negative Team WINS!

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

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!!!

Sequence & Time Limits

A. 1st Aff ConstructiveB. 1st Neg cross-x C. 1st Neg ConstructiveD. 1st Aff cross –xE. 2nd Aff ConstructiveF. 2nd Neg cross-xG. 2nd Neg ConstructiveH. 2nd Aff cross-xI. Rebuttal Prep TimeJ. Negative RebuttalK. 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

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.

Constructive Speeches Continued If the Negative speaker asks for details of the

Affirmative’s plan during the 1st Neg cross-x, the Affirmative speaker should respond, “My partner will handle that.”

Negative must show:1. There is a serious flaw in the Affirmative’s plan.2. They must negate the Affirmative Team’s

arguments or3. Prove that the stated need is exaggerated or

non-existent, and that the Affirmative’s plan is unnecessary!

Constructive Speeches Continued Each member of each teem must

give one constructive speech. Rapid fire speech is discouraged.

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.

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!

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!!!!!

Judges & Time Keepers

Please See Ms. Stolerman on the designated date to receive special training!