APLS 493S Debate Format for the 2008 Presidential Election

Each of you has been assigned to a team. You may not have gotten your favorite candidate, but an educated person knows how to argue in favor of things with which she or he may not agree.

Each team has a captain and assistant captain. They are responsible for making assignments and for coaching team members when they need help and for filling in if someone should be missing. The debate will cover the following areas:

1. Economy
2. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and foreign/defense policy and terrorism (including questions on acceptable methods of investigation)
3. Social issues (including gay marriage and abortion and the status of women)
4. Environment (global warming or climate change)
5. Energy
6. Health care
7. Experience/character

The debate will open with an opening statement made by the team captain (and or assistant captain or someone designated) who will give the overall theme for her/his candidate and introduce strongest and main points (4 minutes max).

At the end, the team captain or someone of the team's choice will present the closing statement for that team's candidate (3 minutes each max)

Each issue area will have the following components:
Initial statement: 3 minutes each
Rebuttal/refutation: 1 minute each

Schedule
Opening Statements (who goes first will be determined by a flip of a coin) -- 4 minutes each

1. Economy
    McCain -- 3 minute proposition
    Obama -- 3 minute proposition/refutation
    McCain -- 1 minute rebuttal/refutation
    Obama -- 1 minute rebuttal/refutation

2. The Wars and terrorism
    Obama -- 3 minute proposition
    McCain -- 3 minute proposition/refutation
    Obama -- 1 minute rebuttal/refutation
    McCain -- 1 minute rebuttal/refutation

3. Social issues
    McCain -- 3 minute proposition
    Obama -- 3 minute proposition/refutation
    McCain -- 1 minute rebuttal/refutation
    Obama -- 1 minute rebuttal/refutation

4. Environment
    Obama -- 3 minute proposition
    McCain -- 3 minute proposition/refutation
    Obama -- 1 minute rebuttal/refutation
    McCain -- 1 minute rebuttal/refutation

5. Energy
    McCain -- 3 minute proposition
    Obama -- 3 minute proposition/refutation
    McCain -- 1 minute rebuttal/refutation
    Obama -- 1 minute rebuttal/refutation

6. Health Care
    Obama -- 3 minute proposition
    McCain -- 3 minute proposition/refutation
    Obama -- 1 minute rebuttal/refutation
    McCain -- 1 minute rebuttal/refutation

7. Experience/character
    McCain -- 3 minute proposition
    Obama -- 3 minute proposition/refutation
    McCain -- 1 minute rebuttal/refutation
    Obama -- 1 minute rebuttal/refutation

Closing Statements (reverse order from opening statements) -- 3 minutes each

At the end of the debate each team member will turn in a typed statement detailing what that individual did to aid her/his team in their presentation (this statement can include notes and research done in preparation). This counts for 10 percent of your course grade. Your grade will be determined by: 1) the substance of your presentation, 2) the authority with which you make your presentation, and 3) the work you put into helping your team, as revealed by your written statement and our observation.

Bob or his designee will act as judge. The overall winning team will receive 5 points extra credit on the next exam.