Congressional Debates

What are Congressional Debates?

• Debates between two main speakers comprised of an opening statement, cross-examination, Q&A, subsequent speakers, and a concluding statement– The two main speakers, a pro and con, have been selected

in advance and have prepared their speeches.

– It is their job to research the debate topic and summarize the key arguments in favor of their position as they see them

• Topics are resolutions presented in a faux-congressional setting– The chair/moderator enforces parliamentary procedure (time,

rules, voting, etc.)– The audience is referred to as the floor of “representatives”

Procedure• Choose time-keeper. • Moderator reads the debate resolution.

– Ex. “Resolved, that any law prohibiting same-gender marriage be considered unconstitutional.”

• Begin debate with 4 to 6 minute opening speech from the main speaker in favor of the resolution (the proponent).

• Then the main speaker against the resolution (the opponent) cross-examines the pro speaker for 2 minutes .– Cross-examination: asking questions that attempt to refute some of the

opposing speaker’s points• After that time has passed, pro main speaker answers questions from

floor for 2 minutes.• The con main speaker then delivers his/her 4 to 6 minute opening

speech.• The pro main speaker cross-examines the con main speaker for 2

minutes.• The con main speaker answers questions from the floor for 2 minutes.• Begin rounds of subsequent speakers (alternating between pro and con).• Begin conclusion with con main speaker’s closing speech (2 to 3

minutes).• End with the pro main speaker’s closing speech (2 to 3 minutes).• Moderator leads a vote on the resolution.• Moderator announces whether the resolution passes.

Subsequent Speeches

• After the main speeches are finished the moderator will ask for subsequent speeches from the audience

• These speeches alternate between pro and con beginning with the pro side

• They tackle one or a few specific points and still need some factual basis (citations, statistics) but not as much as the main speakers (due to the time constraint)

• No more than 2 minutes each– If the speaker is finished before 2 minutes, they may 1) yield

their time to questions or 2) forfeit the remaining time• The number of subsequent speeches per session

depends on the amount of time available as well as interest in delivering subsequents

Organizing your Main SpeechEvery speech should have some

organizational structure that helps you arrange your arguments for maximum impact

I. Introduction and preview of arguments

• Lets the audience know why the issue at hand is important• Provides a definition for the audience of resolution so everyone

understands the issue

II. Main points• Answer the question WHY• “Tell them what you want to tell them, tell them, then tell them what

you told them.”

III. Conclusion

Presentation of Speeches

• Volume, tone, and inflection is very important for understanding, impact, and attention from your representatives

• Eye contact• Be clear and confident• Do not write a full text but instead create an outline• Give flexibility for surprise arguments• Captivate the audience’s attention without 

over-doing it

Answering Questions

• Do not be scared just try to answer them to the best of your knowledge

• If you aren't sure of the answer to the question it is okay to acknowledge that you do not know

• Listen to the questions carefully• Your research before the debate should prepare 

you for most questions that the audience can come up with

• Before the debate think about possible questions that might arise and prepare for them

Debate Briefs

• They are merely a small briefing (in the form of an outline or bullet points) on the debate subject analyzing its content

• Each side must fit their brief in one page• Each side of the argument must complete the brief 24

hrs before the debate• These debate briefs are distributed to the

representatives on the night of the debate– They also help in giving representatives a basis in which to

deliver a subsequent speech if they choose

Example

PRO BRIEF• He attempted to curb the flow of slavery 

proposing that the Missouri Compromise extend all the way to the Pacific Ocean. [1]

– Subpoint– Subpoint

• Polk attempted to gain Cuba as part of American territory. Though the offer was refused he remains the greatest expansionist President in American history gaining unprecedented amounts of landmass for the United States. [2]

– Subpoint– Subpoint

• Polk accomplished all that he did in only one term as President.

[1] “SOURCE NAME” Source A Online. www.sourcea.com. 14 Feb 2010.

[2] “SOURCE NAME” Source B Database. www.sourceb.com. 29 Sept 2001.

Resolved, that President Polk was the most important President of the United States.

Topics

1. Resolved, that Barack Obama is a better choice to serve as president than Mitt Romney.

2. Resolved, that the death penalty be declared a cruel and unusual punishment in the U.S.

3. Resolved, that the drinking age be lowered to 18 years or older to encourage limited and responsible alcohol use.

4. Resolved, that direct election for the presidency should replace the Electoral College.