Constructive

=The Constructive Speech= **Goal**: to persuade the judge that your position (Affirmative or Negative) in the debate is correct, true, and valid.
 * Preparation**:
 * Identify all possible valid arguments in favor of your position. Write each in your own words on an Argument card. A good rule of thumb is one argument per minute of speaking time.
 * Collect evidence in the form of exact quotations (primary and secondary sources--no encyclopedias, textbooks, internet, except for primary documents) for each argument. One to four quotes should be collected for each argument. Each quote should be written on a separate Evidence card, along with the full MLA citation and page number. (The full source has to be given during the debate.) Evidence cards should be coded or clipped to the Argument cards they support.
 * As you research, you may find new and better arguments and evidence to go with them. Add them to your collection.
 * Determine which of your arguments to use in your speech and how to sequence them. Order your cards accordingly.
 * __Write an Intro card:__
 * 1) identify your position with respect to the resolution
 * 2) define any terms which need definition
 * 3) briefly enumerate your arguments
 * 4) be assertive in your expression of the correctness of your position.
 * __Write a Conclusion card:__
 * 1) Summarize your arguments
 * 2) Assert the correctness of your position.


 * Speaking Tips: **
 * Speech can be read directly from the cards, if cards are written according to instructions and sequenced properly:

· Intro Card · Arg 1 Evidence 1a Evidence 1b Evidence 1c · Arg 2 Evidence 2a Evidence 2b Evidence 2c ...and so on... · Conclusion


 * Speak in an assertive to aggressive manner, fairly rapidly, loud enough to be heard anywhere in the room.
 * Refer to each argument by number.
 * Indicate that you are reading evidence by doing two things:
 * 1) Saying “quote” and “unquote” at the beginning and end of each quotation.
 * 2) Saying the source of the quote and page number. If you use the same source more than once, you may abbreviate the citation to author and page number after reading the entire citation the first time.