topic is Resolved: Using animals for scientific testing is immoral 

I am the affirmative Side 

You need to be able to find and cite at least three credible sources.

Proposition of Value Debate Assignment Sheet

Verbal Debate: 200 Points
Debate Brief: 25 Points

Objective: The objective of the value debate is to argue the worth, merit, or beauty of something. You may also argue that something is better than something else, or that a certain value (e.g. “security”) trumps another (e.g. “liberty”). You will continue to gain speaking experience on a topic of your choice, and you will either AFFIRM or NEGATE the resolution that you and your partner mutually decide. 

Directions: You will be assigned a debate partner & brainstorm possible resolutions for your value debate. You want to choose something that contains an evaluative term: Good, Bad, Just, Unjust, Moral, Best, Worst, Important. You will need to clearly explain what you mean by this term and how you interpret this term within the context of your debate. For example, if you claim that Black Panther is the best superhero, you will need to break down what you mean by ‘best’ – is it because of his powers, his storyline, or his costume? Or, is it because of the actor who plays the character in the movie, or the way the comic book character is portrayed in literature? Be specific and detailed when explaining your evaluative term.

Once you choose a general topic, you will narrow it down to a resolution. After you have decided on a resolution, get it approved by your instructor. Then, assign one of you to the affirmative side of the resolution and the other partner to the negative side. Once you know your resolution and if you are the affirmative or negative side, you begin writing your debate.

You will write and turn in a full-sentence debate script/brief. It will include at least three source citations, and will include them in three places: 

In your brief where you plan to say it. Include the author/credentials, where it was published, and the date of publication. This might look like “according to investigative journalist Jodi Kantor’s 2018 piece on National Public Radio . . .”

You must cite, as written in your brief, each source out loud. If you do not cite aloud, you do not get points.

In a reference list, formatted to APA writing standards. You do not need a title page. You do not need to format your script to APA, just your reference list. I recommend using Purdue Owl’s APA generator (Links to an external site.) to get you started, but ensure you check your citations, as generators are very useful, but often imperfect.

**The rubric is available on Canvas. You should use it as a checklist to make sure your debate includes all important parts.**

Conducting the Debate:

Affirmative Introduction (1:00-1:30 min)

Negative Introduction (1:00-1:30 min)

Affirmative Body (2:30-3:00 min)

Negative Body (2:30-3:00 min)

Up to 1 min of prep time.

Affirmative Rebuttal (0:45-1:30 min)

Up to 1 minute of prep time.

Negative Rebuttal (0:45-1:30 min)

• Affirmative Conclusion (0:30-1:00 min)

Negative Conclusion (0:30-1:00 min)

Be sure to time each section of your value debate at home. It is important to learn to speak according to time limits. You earn points based on how well you adhere to time guidelines.

Materials Due:   

• You must submit all debate-related materials on Canvas before you and your partner debate. See the Proposition of Value Debate Written Brief for additional details.
• Tips for choosing a resolution:

It should be something that contains an EVALUATIVE TERM:

• Good, Bad, Just, Unjust, Moral, Best, Worst, Important, etc.

You need to be able to find and cite at least three credible sources.

You want to have enough clash to create a debate atmosphere; you need areas on which to disagree, but be careful to not become ‘ethnocentric’ – believing that one’s culture or way of life is superior to all others.

Sample resolutions:

Embryonic stem cell research is morally wrong.

Social media is the best form of communication in the world.

The United States’ decision to not intervene in the Rwandan genocide was unjust.

It is wrong that men don’t have the same amount of paternity leave as women.

Harry Potter is the best book series of all time.

It is morally acceptable to kill an animal for biting or attacking a human.

The Vatican’s recent comments on same-sex relationships were bad.

Wealth is the most important aspect of success in America.

Remember, the affirmative speaker affirms (or agrees with) the resolution. The negative speaker negates (or disagrees with) the resolution. Both partners will use the same resolution, word for word, and each partner will use the phrasing “I affirm the resolution” or “I negate the resolution” depending upon which side each debater is on. The negative side does not re-word the resolution to fit their side; they simply disagree with it as written.