HIST 206: 

United States in the Twentieth Century II (1945-Present)
 

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DEBATE FORMAT

The debate has six parts: 

5 minute opening presentation by the 1st speaker from the Pro side 
1 minute challenge by the Con side 
1 minute reply by the 1st  speaker from the Pro side 

5 minute opening presentation by the 1st speaker from the Con side 
1 minute challenge by the Pro side 
1 minute reply by the 1st  speaker from the Con side 

5 minute opening presentation by the 2nd speaker from the Pro side 
1 minute challenge by the Con side (a different challenger from the 1st) 
1 minute reply by the 2nd  speaker from the Pro side 

5 minute presentation by the 2nd speaker from the Con side 
1 minute challenge by the Pro side (a different challenger from the 1st) 
1 minute reply by the 2nd speaker from the Con side 

5 minutes for two questions from the house addressed to the Pro side (Maximum 1 minute replies). 
5 minutes for two questions from the house addressed to the Con side (Maximum 1 minute replies). 

5 minute Concluding speech from the Pro side. 

5 minute concluding speech from the  Con side. 

The House votes 

NOTES: 

Concluding speeches should provide a summary of the side’s chief points  It should be improvisational (not pre-written before the debate).  In their final speech, the Con side must not present material new to the debate. 
 

DEBATE WRITE-UP

As part of the formal debate portion of this course, each debate team is required to hand in a “Debate Write-Up” that consists of the following documents: 

     -  the first formal opening statement (5 minutes) and a provisional list of possible challenges to first opening statement that you might expect from the opposing team and how you will respond; 

     -  the second formal opening statement (5 minutes) and a provisional list of possible challenges to the second opening statement that you might expect from the opposing team and how you will respond; 

     - a preliminary list of questions/challenges your team will likely pose to the opposition; and 

     -  a comprehensive annotated bibliography describing the nature of your key sources and noting how each was used in structuring your argument/debate. 

Each team’s write-up is due the day that team is scheduled to debate before the class. Along with the debate itself, this write-up constitutes 15% of your final grade. Please don’t hesitate to ask me any questions.