Brain Quest Debate

1. Ground Rules
The debating process begins with the forming of teams consisting of four students. There are specific rounds
that alternate between affirmative and negative speakers.
2. Courtesy Rules
Students must be courteous throughout the debate. Debaters must address the judge, the opponents and the class
or audience. They may not interrupt a speaker at any time.
3. Argument and Proof Rules
Students must bring arguments and evidence with them to the debate and must refer to them throughout.
Debaters write their evidence on index cards, which must contain reliable sources.
4. Rules for First Affirmative Speaker
The rule for procedure of presentations is that an affirmative debater speaks first, for eight minutes. He brings a
prepared speech stating how the status quo is not working appropriately and a change is necessary. This debater
has the burden of proof. He is then cross-questioned by a negative debater for three minutes.
5. Rules for First Negative Speaker
The first negative speaker speaks for eight minutes and tries to show that there is no need for a
change as proposed by the affirmative and that the solution offered wouldn't work anyway. The first
affirmative cross-questions her for three minutes.
6. Rules for Remaining Speakers
The second affirmative debater speaks for eight minutes. The first negative speaker then cross-examines the
speaker for three minutes. The remaining speakers have a turn to speak for eight minutes and are crossexamined for three minutes by the opposition. Each speaker then gives a rebuttal of five minutes.
7. Rules of Timing
The rules as indicated for timing speeches and cross-examination are strictly enforced.
8. Rules for the Judges
The judges keep a running account of each speaker's presentation and awards points accordingly. The judges
announce the winning team.

Brain Quest Debate

Topics
Education

1. Ban Homework
2. Poetry should not be taught in schools
3. Ban school uniforms
4. End State Testing
5. Make all parent attend parenting classes
6. Ban Junk food from schools
7. Parents should be held responsible for their childrens discipline problem
8. Year around school
9. All females and males classroom
10. Mathematics should not be a required subject in schools
Science
1. The use of performance enhancing drugs in sports
2. Ban animal testing
3. Parents monitor their children online and mobile communication
4, Censor the internet
5. Every child should have a mobile phone
6. Macs are better that PCs

Brain Quest Debate

Sports
1. Women should compete in the same league as men
2. Ban boxing
3. Media should display, promote and report womens sport equally to mens sport
4. Physical education in school should be mandatory
Culture
1. Ban gambling
2. Advertising is harmful
3. Newspapers are things of the past
4. Restrict media reporting on violent crimes
5. Buy locally produced foods
6. All museums free of charge

Brain Quest Debate