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.