2015年美国夢沃学校(上海)国际高中英语辩论赛细则

Debate Competition

MVA Shanghai • Monday, 25 May 2015

1、Format

Each of the two pairs of teams will have a half hour for their debate:

Opening statement: one person for three minutes per team. This should set out your overall arguments and make a clear case for your side. While it might recognize arguments from the opposing team, it should be a direct engagement with them, even if you have the second opening statement. (The order will be decided by a coin toss.)

Main debate: Students will have one minute speaking times, during which they should make a specific case in support of their position, or in opposition to the other side. Following each statement, the other team will have thirty seconds to rebut what has just been said. Every student on each team should participate in both roles. This section will last approximately twenty minutes.

Closing statements: one person for two minutes per team. This should be a final summary of your argument and leave the audience with a clear understanding of why they should support your side.

Judges: members of the faculty will choose a winner based upon the overall quality of a team’s participation: their preparation, creativity, clarity, language use, and respectfulness.

2、General Guidelines

Debates should be based on research and specific information, not just personal opinions, feelings and emotions.

There’s an enormous amount of information available about both subjects, and students should use a number of resources to learn more. Wikipedia offers a good beginning, but news websites like the Guardian, Washington Post, CNN, the BBC and NPR also provide current perspectives.

Similarly many non-profit, non-governmental organizations have websites related to these issues. When making an argument, you should cite your sources; for instance, “according to a United Nations report from 2005…”

It might also be helpful to have graphs, charts or photos to aid your cause—however, PowerPoint is not allowed. You should have printed copies of anything you want to show.

When making or rebutting points, you must be composed and respectful. Comments must be about the points being debated, not the debaters themselves.

3、Section One: The Death Penalty

Grades eight and nine — in favor — versus grade ten — against.

The death penalty is a controversial form of punishment around the world, not only because of humanitarian standards against “cruel and unusual” punishment, but also because of its irreparable nature: killing a person cannot be undone if he or she is later found innocent. Yet supporters believe it’s the states ultimate right to protect itself and its citizens, and to exact justice against violent criminals while also deterring others from committing heinous offenses. Should the death penalty remain in place? For what crimes? How should it be implemented? These questions and more should be developed, explained and argued by both sides.

4、Section Two: Europe’s Migrant Crisis

Thousands of migrants from Africa and the Middle East are seeking refuge in Europe, many fleeing conflicts in their homelands or seeking greater economic opportunity. The majority attempt to travel from Libya across the Mediterranean to Southern Italy. Yet they’re often put on overcrowded and unsafe boats by smugglers who have little regard for their lives or safety; thousands have died this year alone when their vessels capsized or sank. Europeans are in the midst of a major debate about how to handle this humanitarian crisis.

Homeroom 11.1 will take the position of conservative advocates who believe that at most Europe has a limited responsibility to prevent migrants from beginning their journeys, and that if found attempting passage to Europe, they should be returned to their point of origin. Homeroom11.2 will argue on behalf of a refugee aid organization, which believes that migrants should be given safe passage to Europe and given support to relocate—from medical care to job training and eventual citizenship as political refugees. Major controversies include what countries will take on the burden of any action, who will bear the cost, and how to handle the criminal organizations that are so heavily involved in trafficking—along with addressing the “push” factors that have been compelling people to leave their homes.

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