MIDWEST JSA Debate Department DEBATE SPECIES GUIDE
Activism Debate Select a cause, such as veteran benefits or the environmental conservation, and brainstorm two relevant activism projects for each cause; follow a shortened debate format with relevant activism projects for each viewpoint presented. At the end of the debate, hold the activism project that garnered the most votes. The debate should be short, including main speeches and a maximum of two subsequent speech rounds. Boston Massacre As two main speakers debate (often with gavel or crossfire debate), the audience travels to the side of the room of the speaker whose position they support. The audience members should change sides fluidly as their positions are influenced by different arguments. Strong moderator required. DEFCON The moderator leads the audience through a crisis situation; participants debate the options presented before choosing one road of action. Each choice leads to another situation with another set of action options. Gavel Debate Each speaker speaks until his or her opponent uses the gavel, which immediately gives that person the floor until interrupted by the other speaker or out of time. Subsequent speakers can either debate separately or join the main speaker for a team gavel debate. Speakers are timed separately. Hunger Games Works best with a large group. Before the debate, weapons are written down on pieces of paper and chosen by tributes who want to participate in the hunger games. Each tribute is given two weapons, ranging from actual weapons to everyday items (e.g. an axe and a monocle. The moderator randomly calls up two tributes, and each tribute gives a one minute speech on why they would win the fight, followed by one minute of crossfire. The winning tribute advances in the competition and the losing tribute is eliminated.
Interpretive Charades A member of the audience is given something ridiculous to mime (ex. bacon sizzling on a grill, being eaten by a large insect.) Two speakers debate what is being acted out, each giving a oneminute main speech on what they think is being acted out followed by a minute for crossfire. The winner is determined by the persuasiveness of the argument rather than accuracy. The word is revealed after the voting. Musical Chairs Debate Set up a game of musical chairs, but remove two chairs per round; the eliminated players go to the center of the circle and give an impromptu debate on a random topic. The winner of the debate stays in the game. Hot Potato Debate Hot Potato, in which two hot potatoes are passed around. At the end of every round, the two players with potatoes will have a quick debate. Voting after every debate is optional. Oxford Debate Before an otherwise traditional debate begins, take a vote on the resolution to see where the audience stands. At the end of the debate, take a vote again and compare the results. The side that swayed the most opinion wins. Poetic Debate Debaters must debate in a pre-determined style of poetry (limerick, iambic, haiku, etc.) Press Secretary A moderator-appointed speaker acts as the president s press secretary and gives a statement in response to a situation (determined by the speaker, audience, or moderator.) Speakers answer related audience questions at the end of their statements; these typically take up the majority of the time. Topics may be funny or serious.
Risk Debate A map (fictional or real) is drawn up. Debaters are divided into two teams, and every team is given starting boundaries on the map. Each team alternates turns attacking each other s territories (each team gets one attack per turn.) To win or keep a territory, each team sends a debater up to participate in a quick, impromptu debate on a random topic. Whoever wins the debate (winner is chosen by vote) takes the territory. Once a team has conquered the map, they win. This style is great at giving less experienced debaters a chance to improve on their skills. Roleplay Debate Each speaker is assigned a person or character easily identifiable to the audience and must make an argument from that person s perspective in a traditional debate. Example: Resolved, that India be given its independence. Main Pro: Mahatma Ghandi Main Con: Winston Churchill Schizo Debate One speaker begins speaking on behalf of one side; whenever the moderator uses the gavel, the speaker must fluidly switch positions on the issue. Stutter Debate Speakers are in teams; each speaker can only say one word at a time, so all members of the team must collaborate and speak in order to present their arguments within the time limit. Taboo Debate Main speakers must make their arguments without using predetermined words that are typically used when discussing the topic. Example: Resolved, that marijuana should be legalized. Forbidden words: Marijuana, smoke, legalization, health, drug war, right
Teacher Debate This debate style is an effective publicity tool. Ask dynamic, popular teachers to debate a fun or controversial resolution at an upcoming meeting. Explain the format beforehand. Strong moderator required. Team Debate A traditional debate, but speeches are given in teams of two. The two speakers can split their time as they like, but main and subsequent speeches will remain six and three minutes, respectively. Thought Talk A moderator chooses audience members to share their thoughts on and speak informally about the given topic in an informal discussion. Alternatively, participants can hold a Grade Debate where each comment includes a letter grade of the discussed action. Example: Mayor Bloomberg s soda ban receives a C because... Traditional Debate Two main speakers give six-minute opening speeches; subsequent speakers chosen by the moderators give three-minute speeches. If the speaker decides to yield his time to questions, all remaining time goes toward questions. The main speakers conclude with three-minute closing speeches, starting with the con, before the audience votes on the resolution and then best speaker. Alternatively, participants can hold a Moderated Caucus where the debate becomes a thought talk after main speeches.