Public Forum
PF · Mackinac
- Time
- 2–4 minspeeches, 3 min prep a team
- Performs
- 2 studentsdebating as one team
- You bring
- Evidenceon the resolution
- Prep room
- No
Run only at the MSCI Mackinac tournament.
Teams of two debate the resolution, one side Pro and one Con. Before every round a coin is tossed: the team that wins chooses EITHER its side OR whether it speaks first or second, and the other team makes the remaining choice. The judge decides the round only on what is said in it — an argument a team does not answer is conceded — and writes a reason for the decision.
The full ballot text
The round, in order: first speaker of Team A, constructive (4 minutes); first speaker of Team B, constructive (4); crossfire (3); second speaker of Team A, rebuttal (4); second speaker of Team B, rebuttal (4); crossfire (3); first speaker of Team A, summary (3); first speaker of Team B, summary (3); grand crossfire, all four debaters (3); second speaker of Team A, final focus (2); second speaker of Team B, final focus (2). Each team has 3 minutes of prep to use during the round.
Debaters may bring new evidence for an argument already made in the summary and final focus, but no brand-new arguments. In crossfire they take turns asking and answering.
Speaker points run from 26 to 30 in half points. No two debaters in a room may get the same points, and the winning team must get the same or more points in total than the losing team.
Other Mackinac events: Poetry SlamProgressive Debate