Pre-Debate
Before the round takes place, the teams are designated as either the Affirmative or the Negative. The two teams are then given three topics from which to choose. The Affirmative is given first strike which means that they remove one of the topics from the list. The Negative then is left with two topics to choose from, and will choose which topic they wish to argue by again using their strike and removing the topic they do not wish to talk on. The two teams will then have fifteen minutes to formulate the case they wish to present. At the end of the fifteen minutes the teams reconvene and begin the debate.
The members of each team are referred to as the following;
- Leader of the Affirmative
- Member of the Affirmative
- Leader of the Negation
- Member of the Negation
Read more about this topic: Public Debate