Start Here: Teaching Public Forum
In Public Forum Debate, students work in pairs of two to debate both sides of a topic. Public Forum is one of the most popular events and is a great entry point for new students and judges.
Topics are based on current events and change frequently, which gives students the opportunity to learn about a variety of subjects and keeps debates exciting and new.
Students present prepared cases, then engage in rebuttal and questioning periods with limited prep.
Students Will Be Able To:
- Write a persuasive speech that features complete arguments with a claim, data, warrant, and impact.
- Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning.
- Find, cut, cite, and organize evidence that supports their claims.
- Evaluate a speaker’s point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric, identifying any fallacious reasoning or exaggerated or distorted evidence.
- Respond to attacks against their arguments with limited prep using logic and/or evidence.
- Listen effectively to take notes on a round and use them to ask questions.
- Complete a full Public Forum round.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| LESSON 1: What is Debate? | 1 |
| LESSON 2: What is Public Forum? | 6 |
| LESSON 3: Resolution Analysis | 12 |
| LESSON 4: Research | 16 |
| LESSON 5: How to Cut Cards | 21 |
| LESSON 6: Argumentation | 25 |
| LESSON 7: Writing the Case | 28 |
| LESSON 8: Flowing the Round | 32 |
| LESSON 9: Crossfire | 36 |
| LESSON 10: Refutation | 39 |
| LESSON 11: Demonstration | 44 |
| LESSON 12: Delivery | 47 |
| LESSON 13: Practice | 49 |
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