A formal debate involves two sides: one supporting a resolution and one opposing it. Last season, most debates were virtual, as well as some this year. For the first time since the pandemic, though, there were three full rooms of debaters excited for the season. 

How does Speech and Debate Work? 

There are five regular season tournaments, each of which have four rounds. Each team has two to three constructive speeches, and one rebuttal speech.  The team who agrees with the statement is on the pro side and gets to give their speech first. Then each side gets the chance to make a rebuttal statement. Following that, the side who disagrees with the statement will give the final focus which is one of the final speeches along with a summary cross.  

In PF [Public Forum], there is one tournament per month: October, November, December, January, and February. Each month there are assigned different topics, except for November and December. However, Lincoln Douglas [LD] doubles up. In PF there are two speakers, but in LD there is only one.

In order to move onto Metros, one full bid is needed (4-0, win four rounds,  or place 1-6 overall in tournament) or get two half bids (two 3-1’s) by each team. Metros consist of six rounds instead of the four rounds in normal debates. Coaches select debaters that they think will be the best fit to compete at the Broad Run invitational and Pennsbury Falcon invitational. There are three divisions: novice (brand new debaters only), junior varsity, and varsity. In some schools qualifying for a varsity position is not allowed, even if it’s your second year. However, you can automatically be entered for varsity if you’ve competed in a previous year in Rock Ridge.

This year, the metrofinals were at Lake Braddock Secondary School. It was on Friday, March 10 and Saturday, March 11. Rock Ridge won 3 sweepstakes and had 1 individual winner for congress and 2 individual winners for PF. 

Meet the Debaters

Freshman Disha De: 

Q: What are the debate tournaments like?

A: It was really exciting, as all debate tournaments really are. It’s kind of like a boost of adrenaline. You get to stay the whole day with your friends and compete in various tournaments, and I’ve always really enjoyed it.

Q: How did your group do?

A: We got a half bid. We got a 3-1 .This was like our best score so far so we did really well and had good speaker points. 

Q: What were some of the strategies your team used to win?

A: So we have to be really intuitive listeners which means you have to catch everything the other team says and you have to be really smart about how you negate their points. Some judges are first time judges so you have to say it in a way that they’re going to understand. We use delinking and turning [debate tactics] and all that.

Q: Which debate skill do you think you’re the best at?

A: I personally think I’m pretty decent at structuring my summaries. I feel like I’m really good at responding to the other team as well, because I usually have my partner write rebuttals and everything. 

Q: What was the season like as a whole?

A: I was really glad to have this opportunity and be able to talk to the captains and network with the people I met during debate. Being with the same group of people and captains that care about you that much made it a really amazing experience. 

Q: What were some of the networking opportunities?

A: Networking opportunities were like getting to talk and meet with the captains to understand their views on debate and meeting new people at competitions. I made so many friends from different schools. Even though you’re fighting against them in tournament, at the end, you could just talk to them and be really good friends with them. It’s a feeling of a really good opportunity. 

Q: What were some of the highlights of the season?

A: [When] we got kicked out of Barnes & Nobles because the entire team showed up on Labor Day, but then we all went to work in the Alamo theater. Another highlight was our team dinner that we went to.

Q: What were the stressful parts of the season?

A: Doing the work late at night and trying to communicate with timing. I obviously got stressed way too many times when I did cases and had to perfect them. Mocking was also scary because the captains were basically judging you and it was also stressful because you have to be invited. The stress was worth it, though. I definitely enjoyed it and that led to us getting a 3-1, which means we’ll probably get reinvited next year. 

Junior Victoria Zhang:

Q: How do you normally prepare for your debates?

A: I normally look at the topic and start researching a week before [the cases are due].

Q: What’s been your favorite topic so far?

A: Honestly, I like the last one we did. It was justice requires open borders for human migration.

Q: What about debate excites you?

A: I just like arguing with people! [It’s fun] to use logic and argue against your opponent. 

Q: Do you find debate challenging?

A: Sometimes. When I first started, it was horrible. I had no idea what I was doing, but now it’s [better]. Research is the boring part, and it’s hard because you have random topics that you don’t know anything about. [I persevere through researching] because I have to.

Q: Why do you debate?

A: To improve my speaking, research, and analytical skills. I like the community, and it’s just fun to argue with people. 

Q: Why is improving your skills important to you in debate?

A: I think having good presentation skills is something youll have to [use] in the future, and you also learn a lot about current events in depth. 

Sophomore Yoshi Sarkar:

Q: How do you normally prepare for your debates?

A: Probably a week or two in advance I start doing research with my friends. [I get together with] LD (Lincoln Douglas) to do some background research then begin formulating our cases.

Q: What about debate excites you?
A: Arguing with people. It sounds really sad, but it’s an outlet to argue with people in a socially acceptable way.

Q: Do you find debate challenging?

A: Yeah, but I think that’s part of the fun. Even if you do bad one time, there’s always a chance you’ll do better the next.

Q: Do you enjoy debating?

A: I love debating. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here.