You are cordially invited to attend the Munster High School Debate Tournament on Saturday, November 10, 2012.

 

We will offer four (4) rounds of competition in all four recognized forms of debate: policy; Lincoln-Douglas; public forum; and congressional.  We will also offer three levels of competition in each event: novice (first year debaters); junior varsity (first year debaters or teams of first and second year debaters); and varsity (third and fourth year debaters).

 

Policy:

Policy teams will use the 2012-13 topic (Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its transportation infrastructure investment in the United States).  Novice teams must observe the IHSFA topic restrictions for their affirmative cases.  There are no restrictions on either JV or varsity teams.  Teams will have five (5) minutes of prep time available each round.

 

Lincoln-Douglas:

Lincoln-Douglas debaters will debate the November/December 2012 topic (Resolved: The United States ought to guarantee universal health care for its citizens).  Debaters will have four (4) minutes of prep time available each round.  LD will be flighted as judges and rooms require.

 

Public Forum:

Public forum teams will use the November 2012 topic (Resolved: Current U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East undermines our national security).  Teams will have two (2) minutes of prep time available each round.  PF will be flighted as judges and rooms required.

 

Congress:

The varsity chamber will select the bills it most wants to debate from the fifteen IHSFA approved legislative items.  The JV chamaber will choose from bills 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 11.  The novice chamber will choose from bills 2, 5, 6, 10 and 11.  A chamber may not debate the same bill twice.  Each speaker, regardless of level, will stand for a mandatory one minute questioning period following his or her speech.

 

Team Sweepstakes:

Trophies will be presented to the top five (5) teams at the tournament.  Sweepstakes will be calculated using the finishes of the top two (2) teams/debaters in each event.

 

Food and Beverages:

Food and beverages will be available for purchase throughout the day; please do not leave the school for any reason.  There will not be a lunch break, but we believe that by leaving ample time between rounds, students and judge will adequate opportunities to eat.  There will be a coaches lounge for adults (not student judges).

 

Judges:

Schools are required to supple one (1) judge for every two (2) entries in policy debate, one (1) judge for every four (4) entries in Lincoln-Douglas and public forum debate, and one (1) judge for every six (6) entries in congress.

 

Student judges:

Varsity students with 250 of more NFL points may judge novice rounds.  A school may not cover all its judging requirements merely with student judges, only novice entries.

 

Deadline for entries:

Entries are accepted via Speechwire or they may be emailed (rccarroll@munster.k12.in.us) or faxed (219-836-3203).  The deadline is Wednesday, November 7, at 3:00 PM.

 

Questions:

Obviously, this invitation will not answer all questions.  Please call or email with any that arise.

 

Thank you for your courtesy, cooperation and support.  We strive to offer a great educational opportunity for our students and yours as well.  We look forward to your visit to the far Northwestern corner of Indiana!

(vr24)