What is going to happen at the IM debates?
The CEDA National Organization awarded our Intramural Program a top three Public Debate Program in the Nation trophy.

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PREPARING AHEAD OF TIME

List out arguments and reasons for the resolution.

List out arguments and reasons against the resolution and against arguments you expect other debaters to present on the affirmative side.

You can do some research but it isn't critical.

THURSDAY BY 4:20PM

ARRIVE
You arrive in Hunter Foyer. There will be other students there who will be in the debates. I'm sure you'll recognize some of them--talk, hang out.

DEBATES
The Intramural Debate Coordinator will put you and another debater together with a judge. You’ll go to another IM Debate Coordinator who will tell you what room to go to; you’ll tell that person your names and confirm whether you are affirmative or negative.

You then go to your room and debate.

THE DEBATE THEN BEGINS.

The First Affirmative Speaker begins with a 4 minute speech supporting the resolution.

Then, the First Negative Speaker presents a 6 min. speech attacking the arguments in the affirmative speech and lays out the negative's case against the resolution.

Then, the Second Affirmative Speech occurs for 3 min. In this short speech, you defend your original arguments and attack the negative speaker's arguments.

Then, the Second Negative Speech occurs for 4 min. This should rebuild the negative's arguments and provide a clear set of reasons for the judge to vote against the affirmative.

Then, the Third Affirmative Speech occurs for 3 min. This should rebuild the affirmative arguments and reattack the negative's main points.

After the debate, you may shake your opponent's hand and the judge might offer some comments.

THE BREAK
You go back to the Hunter foyer afterward and hang out and have some free snacks and drinks for about 20 minutes. One of the IM Coordinators will hand out T-Shirts during this period of time.

At the end of this break, the IM Coordinator will post the Round 2 debates.

POSTING FOR ROUND 2
The Intramural Debate Coordinator will post a sheet listing out where people debate for Round 2. On this posting, you will find this information:

--who you are debating

--what room to go to for your debate

--who will be judging you

You go to your room. Wait to make sure that the judge and your opponent are there.

ROUND 2 DEBATE
In the Round 2 debate, you will debate on the other side of the resolution--with the same setup as in Round 1.

AFTER ROUND 2
After Round 2, you are done; you can leave to wherever you want to go to.

ANNOUNCEMENTS OF AWARD WINNERS
At the end of the tournament, Jim and the Intramural Debate Coordinator will post the award winners to the community and student listservs and to the IM debate web pages. There is no awards assembly.

MONETARY PRIZES
At the end of the tournament, Jim and the Intramural Debate Coordinator will submit the names of participants and the cash prizes they should receive. The financial aid office will, shortly after that, put the money into your student account. You will be able to cash that money out at the business office on the main floor of Mem or just use the money to pay your school bills.

NOTE: If you went 2-0 in the inexperienced division or you went
2-0 or 1-1 in the experienced division, you have qualified for the IM Championship tournament held in late spring. Be looking for an email from Jim Hanson about that (or contact Jim about it).

 

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Questions should be directed to Jim Hanson at hansonjb@whitman.edu