Judging your first public forum debate

Chances are, if your child is participating in public forum debate you will be called to judge. I'm going to pull a few quotes from my favorite debate book and  between Edwards, Richard E, PhD, Competitive Debate, The Official Guide and myself you will be anxiety free while judging Public Forum debate.

In Public Forum debate a team of 2 will prepare a case for and against the resolution. For example, this month's resolution is The  continuation of current US drug policies in Latin America will do more harm than good.  The team will need to prepare a Pro side and a Con side.

The first speaker of the team will have a 4 minute speech. In this speech they will restate the resolution and then provide reasons why they support or oppose it. Just as we were taught to outline our writing in school, the speech will come to you in sort of outline form. For example team a wins the coin flip and takes the affirmation (pro) side of the above resolution. Their speech may look like this:

For the last 20 years the US has spent billions of dollars fighting the war on drugs and we are no closer winning this war than we were when we started, for this reason we affirm, the continuation of current US drug policies in Latin America will do more harm than good. 

Contention 1: (Our first reason) The war on drugs is ineffective .

Subpoint A: According to ABC we have not seen a reduction of drugs entering the US
Subpoint B: According to XYZ, the number of coca farms in central America is growing with the US being their main destination.

Contention 2: (our second reason) Our policy of pesticide spraying in Peru is detrimental to the environment.
Subpoint A: The pesticides spray indiscriminately

For these reasons we urge a pro ballot.

The first speaker for the opposing team will now rise and give their 4 minute speech to the opposite side, they will negate and lay out their reasoning.

When the second speaker is done, both speakers will stand for crossfire. Think of crossfire as question and answer. It's a time to ask questions and have them answered. Direct and to the point. It is not a time to re-read evidence. This is where you are able to make points of contentions for your speech. It is a time to start poking holes in your opponents case and to clear up points of interest. It is a 3 minute round and the last speaker is the one who should ask the first question.

At this point a judge will have an outline of each case. I take notes in 2 different colors as it is easier to read back on and know which side said what.

After crossfire the second speaker on the first team will give his 4 minute speech. This time is usually spent attacking each of the oppositions contentions. If time allows, the speaker will quickly run through his case. Then, the second speaker on the opposing team gets his 4 minutes to attack what the previous speaker just said about his case. If time permits the speaker should then state again his contentions and why they are stronger.

Another 3 minute crossfire with the second speakers.