Debate Topics

  • Jan./Feb. Lincoln-Douglas
    Resolved: Economic sanctions ought not be used to achieve foreign policy objectives.
  • January Public Forum
    Resolved: President Obama's plan for increasing troops in Afghanistan is in the United States' best interest.
  • Nov./Dec. Lincoln Douglas

    Resolved: Public health concerns justify compulsory immunization

  • December Public Forum

    Resolved: That merit pay based on student achievement should be a significant component of K-12 teacher compensation in United States public schools.

  • Policy Debate
    Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase social services for persons living in poverty in the United States. Novice Topics and Packet>>
Debate
Public Forum: Overview Print E-mail

news.gifPublic Forum Debate is a team event that advocates or rejects a position posed by the monthly resolution topic. The clash of ideas must be communicated in a manner persuasive to the non-specialist or “citizen judge”, i.e. a member of the American jury.
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Policy Debate: Overview Print E-mail
Competing in policy debate involves developing a sound understanding of argumentation theory and research methodology and applying these elements in a persuasively delivered analysis of an annually prescribed proposition of policy.  Affirmative debaters (Aff) propose a plan to increase government funding; while negative debaters (Neg) make the point that the affirmative plan doesn't require more funding, or the it won't solve the problem.

The debaters are placed in teams of two, and on our team (as in other competitive high schools), alternate affirmative and negative throughout the season.   Debaters are expected to adhere to the extremely structured format and timeframes of debates.  At the novice level, most judges decide who wins rounds based on the stock issues system, a set of five standards or criteria that must be fulfilled as burdens of argumentation.

Having interest in current events and being a self-starter in conducting research and building cases is paramount, but debate is also a team activity, so if you are unable to attend a tournament, you must notify your coach and affected partners long in advance.  Policy debate tournaments are offered both in-state and nationally, and often at Novice, Junior-Varsity and Varsity levels (divisions), with slight variations in rules, structure and technique.
 
Lincoln-Douglas: Overview Print E-mail
ottawa.jpgLincoln Douglas debate centers on a proposition of value, which concerns itself with what ought to be instead of what is.  Values are ideals held by individuals, societies, governments, etc. Neither side is permitted to offer a plan (a formalized, comprehensive proposal for implementation); rather, they should offer reasoning to support a general principle.
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