Cross Examination

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Cross Examination
Judges Briefing Guide
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So, you want to be a
Cross Examination Debate Judge?
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A Note to Judges
Thank You
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What is Debate?

• Debate centers on the discussion of a RESOLUTION.
• The Proposition side argues in support of the
  resolution - they argue for the proposed idea.
• The Opposition side argues against the resolution
  - they argue for anything but the proposed idea.

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What Do Judges Do?

• In this order, you have 3 jobs to perform
• Award individual speaker points.
• Decide a winning Team.
• Give feedback (optional).
• Chairpersons and timekeepers take care of the
  details

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Order of Events(cross-X)
1st Affirmative Constructive Speech
Cross X
Cross X
1st Negative Constructive Speech
Cross X
Cross X
2nd Affirmative Constructive Speech
2nd Negative Constructive Speech
Affirmative Rebuttal
Negative Rebuttal
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1st Proposition Speech

• Introduction
• Definition of Essential Terms (should be clear to
  the average person)
• Fully Describe Model (If used)
• Theme / Caseline
• Outline all of the Proposition Arguments (Expand
  Arguments using (evidence / proof)
• 7. Conclusion

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1st Proposition (cont)

• In the first proposition speech over eighty five
  percent of the speech should be reserved for the
  constructive matter. The first proposition
  usually develops two constructive points in their
  speech, giving each point equal time. For example
  in a six minute speech
• The first minute would be used for introduction
  and definitions
• The next two minutes would be used for the first
  constructive argument
• The next two minutes would be used for the second
  constructive argument
• Last minute would be used for a short summary and
  conclusion

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What is a Model?

• A model is an extension of the definitions that
  aims to add increased clarity to the motion.
• The model answers the four Ws of the debate.
  Who, What, When, Where. A good model creates more
  context and make the debate clean, removing much
  of the debate from the implementing of a policy
  to the actual policy itself.
• The model must be fully explained in the first
  speech. An example of a model for the resolution
  This House would impose a carbon tax would be
• 1.The government of Canada would impose a 40
  dollar tax on each ton of carbon that companies
  produce
• 2.The money collected will be directed back in
  the form of subsidies and grants to companies
  that are investing in green energy and technology
• 3.The tax will increase at a rate of five dollars
  each year
• 4.The tax will come into effect in the year 2010

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1st Opposition Speech

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Respond to Definition of Essential Terms
• Most teams will accept the terms as defined (no
  time, place, set)
• Can challenge the terms if unreasonable - If this
  happens, judges decide which terms are more
  reasonable (still possible for Prop. to win)
• Opposition theme / Caseline and split
• Clash with 1st Proposition Arguments
• Outline Own Arguments for opposing the resolution
  (Expand Arguments (evidence and proof)
• 5. Fully describe Counter Model (If used)
• 6. Conclusion

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1st Opposition Speech (cont)

• In the first opposition speech seventy five
  percent of the speech should be reserved for the
  constructive matter. The first proposition
  usually develops two constructive points in their
  speech, giving each point equal time. For example
  in a six minute speech
• The first minute 30 seconds would be used for
  refutation and rebuilding
• The next two minutes would be used for the first
  constructive argument
• The next two minutes would be used for the second
  constructive argument
• Last thirty seconds would be used for a short
  summary and conclusion

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Judges Note Evidence

• Keep track of arguments and evidence on flow
  sheet. This will be your record from which to
  judge.
• Evidence can be in the form of facts, quotes,
  examples, or logic it need not be numbers.
• You will be making your decision on the evidence,
  content and rationale of their case.
• An argument without evidence carries no weight.
• Evidence must be accurate.

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Judges Note Clash

• Clash is a central principle of debate. Without
  clash, there is no debate.
• Debaters are obliged to clash directly and
  specifically to their opponents arguments.
• Keep track of which arguments have been
  successfully clashed. ie. Arrows or checks
• CLASH is the deciding factor of a debate. If a
  team fails to clash with major points, they
  should lose the debate.

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2nd Proposition Speech

• Introduction
• Clash with 1st Opposition Arguments
• Outline teams case approach
• Further Proposition Arguments
• Conclusion

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2nd Proposition Speech (cont)

• The second proposition about thirty five - forty
  percent of the speech should be refutation and
  the rest reserved for construction. For example
  in a six minute speech
• The first thirty seconds would be used for the
  introduction
• The next two minutes for refutation of the
  opposition and rebuilding
• The next two minutes for construction of a single
  new argument
• The final thirty seconds for the conclusion

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2nd Opposition Speech

• Introduction
• Clash with Proposition Arguments
• Outline teams case approach
• Further Opposition Arguments
• Conclusion

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2nd Opposition Speech (cont)

• The second opposition speech has about fifty to
  sixty percent refutation and the rest is reserved
  for construction. It is good practice in a debate
  to only introduce a single argument in the second
  speech. For example in a six minute speech
• The first thirty seconds for an introduction
• The next three minutes would be used for
  refutation
• The next two minutes would be used for the last
  constructive point
• The final thirty seconds to conclude the
  opposition side of the debate

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Cross-examination

• This form of questioning is meant to gain
  valuable admissions and identify weaknesses of
  the opponents case.
• Questioners responsibilities
• Be polite
• Be relevant to the topic
• Do not browbeat, belittle, intimidate or
  speechify
• Provide enough time for the question to be
  considered and answered.

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Cross-examination (Cont.)
Questioners cannot demand yes / no answers but,
they can interrupt verbose or evasive
answers. Witnesses must answer all relevant
questions. Judges decide relevance. Again, grade
debaters in the Format section on how well they
ask and answer questions
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Caseline Split
A case split is simply how the arguments are
divided between the two speakers. A theme is a
single, concise sentence that explains the main
idea behind your case. For example, consider
the topic BIRT Globalization is doing more harm
than good. A theme for the Proposition team
might be, Globalizations emphasis on economic
competition advantages a few developed nations at
the expense of the majority of the worlds
population.
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Reply Speeches

• Both teams
• Take a step back and summarize the debate
• Distill the debate into themes and clash on the
  major ideas of the debate
• Leave the judges with a clear reason for your
  side winning the debate

• During Reply
• No new arguments
• New evidence IS allowed
• Not advised to use a systematic style of clash

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Job 1 Speaker Points
Complete the section of the ballot that deals
with individual skills with the help of the
judging rubric in your package. Rule of thumb
start with 3 as average and go up or down 25
pts - practically impossible 20-24 - excellent
debating skills 15-19 - good to very good
skills 12-14 - below average skills sub 12
- impossible will be changed to a 12 when we
enter the stats. The range of marks for each
debater should be between 12 and 22
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Job 2 The Decision
Judges should review each teams arguments,
evidence, and clash to select the winner. If, and
only if neither team meets their obligations,
judges can award the debate to the team best
demonstrating the skills of debate. No ties. If
you cant decide, Opposition wins because the
Proposition has not proved their case. Breaches
of courtesy (insulting comments, distracting
gestures) can be used as one of the factors in
choosing a winning team. Mark the winning
team on your ballot This is usually the team
with the most speaker points. If, however, you
choose to award the win to the team with less
points, be prepared to justify your
reasons. Hand in Your Ballot to the ChairTimer.
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Job 3 Feedback

• Share feedback for each debater.
• (Comments are optional, but very valuable for
  debaters growth)
• Judges comments should be brief (1-2 minutes)
• Comments should be directed toward evidence and
  clash. Positively phrased tips on speaking
  skills may be appropriate. Young egos are
  fragile.
• If everything has been said, the last judge need
  not feel obligated to comment.

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Other Considerations

• Show no bias on the issue - act as though you
  know nothing but what the debaters present.
• If you feel you have a conflict of interest in
  judging a debate, please switch rooms with
  another judge.
• Judges should not sit together or discuss their
  ballots. Decide on your own and submit your
  ballot to the chairperson.
• The judges decision is always right!

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