Student Congress Debate/Speech Structure

• Introduction (15-30 sec.)
  • Attention Ladies and gentlemen, the motion that's for discussion today is '.......'
  • Purpose ("I stand in affirmation/negation on the bill/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 to questions. ("I now yield my time to the chair.")

Sample Speech

[Attention grabber]

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

First shall be that, [contention #1]

Second shall be that, [contention #2]

[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].

[Second, let me talk about/I will continue by saying that] [contention #2]. [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 [summarize contention #1], [summarize contention #2], and because [summarize contention #3] because, as stated, [restate contentions #1, #2, and #3].

I now yield my time to the chair.