ERIC Number: ED349587
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1992-Sep-12
Pages: 13
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Debating with Rules: Much Ado about Nothing.
Ludlum, Marty
A rules-based approach to the problems of debate (such as that proposed by the American Debate Association) will fail to provide a solution to debate's ills and may only increase the problems. Debate's current problems have to do with debate performance, e.g., speaking rate, poor quality evidence, and irrational arguments. A solution to these problems is based on the following statements: (1) there is no consensus that such performances should be punished; (2) any enforcement must be applied with an equal hand; (3) the rules should not create more problems than they resolve; and (4) the solution lies in more honest, assertive feedback by judges. Any rule will be ineffective without consensus and without an enforcement mechanism. Rules are not a substitute for assertive judges. Although activities seeking quality performances in forensic activities are applaudable, establishing more rules is not the answer. (Nineteen references are attached.) (SR)
Descriptors: Debate, Debate Format, Higher Education, Judges, Secondary Education, Speech Communication, Speech Instruction
Publication Type: Opinion Papers; Speeches/Meeting Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A