“Without a doubt the Coolidge Foundation’s program is the best debate institute I’ve been associated with.” – Dr. Ben Voth, Professor of Communications and Director of Debate at Southern Methodist […]

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A debate will begin with a general statement (i.e. “Resolved…”), with each team then debating that resolution. Each judge must render a decision in the debate by voting for the affirmative position or the negative position. That judgment rests primarily upon a consideration of which team has done a more effective job of persuading you for (affirmative speaker) or against (negative speaker) the resolution in question. Please consider the following factors when making a decision: