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Congressional Debate

Student Congress Debate (SC) involves a chamber and/or room of 10-20 people. In a round, every single representative speaks and may be questioned during the cross-ex period by anyone in the chamber. Topics change every two months, and it is a folder of 5-10 pieces of student-submitted legislation. Those who compete in SC focus on topics that impact the United States and its foreign diplomacy; debaters act and debate as if they are Representatives, thus the name. While SC is a solo event, you work along with everyone else, debating the same position in the room.

 

In a debate, there are two positions: the affirmation (Aff) and the negation (Neg). The affirmation argues why the legislation should pass and why it’s necessary. Meanwhile, the negation argues why the legislation shouldn’t be passed. Unlike other events, these positions aren’t assigned or coin-flipped over. Instead, it’s up to the people in the room to decide who speaks what positions on which legislation; cooperation is key.

 

Unlike other events, SC uses placards, a folded paper with your name on it, to signal when you want to speak or to make motions. Motions impact what is happening in the chamber and require a person to second them, then the entire room may take a vote on whether they should pass. For both of these, you must raise your placard first and then be called on the Presiding officer; the presiding officer is elected from the chamber and runs the room.

SPEAKING ORDER

1st Aff Speaker: 3 minutes
A constructive speech that includes 2 contentions (reasons)
1st Aff Speaker: 2 minutes
Cross-ex: A questioning period where anyone in the chamber can ask the speaker questions

1st Neg Speaker: 3 minutes
A constructive speech that includes 2 contentions (reasons)
1st Neg Speaker: 2 minutes
Cross-ex: A questioning period where anyone in the chamber can ask the speaker questions

2nd Aff Speaker: 3 minutes
A partial rebuttal and partially constructive speech that includes a contention
2nd Aff Speaker: 1 minute
Cross-ex: A questioning period where anyone in the chamber can ask the speaker questions

2nd Neg Speaker: 3 minutes
A partial rebuttal and partially constructive speech that includes a contention
2nd Neg Speaker: 1 minute
Cross-ex: A questioning period where anyone in the chamber can ask the speaker questions. The pattern set by the 2nd speaker continues until the last 2 speakers.

Last Aff Speaker: 3 minutes
A rebuttal or crystalization (summary speech) that discusses all arguments made and weighs them
Last Aff Speaker: 1 minute
Cross-ex: A questioning period where anyone in the chamber can ask the speaker questions

Last Neg Speaker: 3 minutes
A rebuttal or crystalization (summary speech) that discusses all arguments made and weighs them
Last Neg Speaker Cross-Ex: 1 minute
A questioning period where anyone in the chamber can ask the speaker questions

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Congress Event Heads

Our Congress Heads for the 2023-2024 school year are Maxwell Gootee and Caitlin Follman. Max loves to cook, do archery, and play with his pet corgi in his free time. Caitlin is also in HiLite, and loves photography and making graphics.

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