BIOMEDICAL DEBATE

Purpose: To provide the student with an opportunity to develop and demonstrate skills in debating a biomedical issue.

Description: The activity will consist of a formal debate following the Lincoln-Douglas debate format. Two teams of 3-4 members will participate in each round. Teams will debate each other in either the affirmative or negative, based on random selection. The performance will be timed and evaluated according to the debate guidelines.
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Proceedure: Each team will consist of 3-4 team members. The round will consist
of one question that is based on a biomedical issue. At least three (3) team members must speak in debate.

The following specific pattern will be followed during the debate:

Affirmative Constructive Speech (4 minutes). The speaker for the affirmative presents her or his arguments.

Negative Cross-Examination (2 minutes). The speaker for the negative questions the affirmative speaker on the points she or he made in her or his constructive speech.

Negative Constructive Speech (4 minutes). The speaker for the negative presents his or her arguments.

Affirmative Cross-Examination (2 minutes). The speaker for the affirmative questions the negative speaker on the points she or he made in her or his constructive speech.

Affirmative Rebuttal (3 minutes). The affirmative speaker rebuts the points made by the negative speaker.

Negative Rebuttal (4 minutes). The negative speaker rebuts the points made by the affirmative speaker.

Final Affirmative Rebuttal (1 minute). The affirmative speaker again rebuts

Teams will be permitted to bring prepared materials written/printed on 8½ x 11" paper, and notes written/printed on note cards, to the debate.

For the debate presentation, there will be two tables with chairs in the front of the room, one assigned to the affirmative and one to the negative.

A speaker's lectern will be positioned between the two tables and will face the audience.

During the constructive speeches and rebuttals, the speaker will stand at the lectern.

During the cross-examination, the team member(s) asking the questions will stand at their table and the speaker whose constructive speech is being cross-examined will remain at the lectern. Interruption of the speaker by the questioner during the cross-examination is allowed.

A timekeeper will keep time for each part of the debate and will call time at the end of the maximum amount of time allowed. Speakers must immediately stop speaking when time is called.

Teams are permitted to discuss and write notes during all parts of the debate, however, table decorum will be evaluated on the rating sheet with the intent that teams will conduct themselves in a professional manner without distracting the other team.

Reference:
Clark, Richard W. Effective Speech. Glencoe, latest
edition.
[Debate time allowances have been modified from the official reference.]

In addition to rating each part of the debate, each judge will determine his or her "winner" of the debate based on the total presentations, evidence and persuasiveness, and will award that team 5 points on the rating.

QUESTIONS FOR DEBATE

1. Should persons with diabetes be candidates for organ transplants?

2. Should individuals be required to pay health insurance premiums based on maintaining a healthy weight?

3. Should a tax be established on high fat foods to support the medical needs of diabetic patients?