Student Congress Debate/Speech Structure

• Introduction (15-30 sec.)
  • Attention Getter
  • Purpose ("I rise to the affirmative/stand negative on the bill or resolution...")
  • Preview ("for the following reasons")
• Body (2 Minutes)
  • Clash!
    • State issues on the floor
    • State points in conflict
    • Prove your point with evidence including the source and date of publication, add the credentials of the source
    • logic- explain why this evidence reinforces your point and your side
    • Tell the assembly the impact of your point and how it should affect their vote
  • Present a Challenge to the Opposition.
• Conclusion (30 sec.)
  • Summarize key points of clash.
  • Summarize key points.
  • Come full circle.
• Open yourself for cross-examination and clarification. ("I am now open for cross-examination and points of further clarification.")

Sample Speech

[Attention getter] Fellow senators, I [rise to the affirmative/stand in negation] of this [bill/resolution] [because of/for] the following three contentions:

First shall be that, [contention #1] Second shall be that, [contention #2] And finally, [contention #3]

[First, let me talk about/I will start off by saying that] [contention #1]. [reason, citations].

Also, I [rise to the affirmative/stand in negation] of this legislature because [reason, citations].

Finally, this [can/cannot] work because [reason, citations].

So, in conclusion I urge your [affirmation/negation] of this [bill/resolution] because [summary contention #1, #2] and because [summary contention #3] because, as stated, [restate contentions #1, #2, and #3].

I am now open for cross-examination and points of further clarification.