TOPIC RUBRIC/SUGGESTION

Started by melcharaz

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(Last edited by Kohai on )
#1 •••
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Note: These standards only apply to ultra rated debates


Topic Creation Guidelines

Resolution


Must be specific, with a clear scope of what is and isn’t being debated.


Must be fair, with each side having a roughly equal opportunity to win.


Recommended formats:


“THBT: …”, “THW:…”, “Resolved: …”, or a Yes/No question. It is a good idea to limit the scope to a particular location or circumstance.


Descriptions


Short Description: Should summarize the topic.


Long Description:

Should clarify the resolution, specify the scope, set limits, and fix an evidence deadline for current events.


Burden of Proof


Specifies which side is responsible for proving something.


BoP Explanation:


Should clearly state what each side aims to establish and how the burden is shared or divided.


The goal is to provide a clear scope while allowing debaters creative freedom.


Definitions


Define any terms that could be interpreted in multiple ways (e.g., Justice, Capitalism). Definitions should be specific but not make the debate a truism.


Avoid defining terms only if the debate is about the definition itself.




Good vs. Bad ExamplesCriteria ✅ Good ❌ BadResolution


“THBT: On balance, US states ought to pass right-to-work laws”


“Right-to-work laws”


Long Description:


“Right-to-work laws are state-level regulations that prohibit agreements requiring employees to join a union... This debate focuses on whether or not states ought to pass these laws.” “Do people have a right to work?


”BoP Explanation “Shared equally. Pro argues that generally, under current circumstances, passing right-to-work laws is better... Con argues that allowing these agreements is better...” “Pro.” (No further explanation)


Definitions


Defines "Current circumstances," "On balance," "Right-to-Work Laws," etc.

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#2 •••
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@Savant, @whiteflame

Please pin unless you wish to edit/reword this.

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#3 •••
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Note. The note was put there by kohai without explanation.


I feel this undermines the point of topic rubrics and i feel these standards should be universal.


And unless im mistaken the topic rubric preceded the ultra debates?

@savant

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#4 •••
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@melcharaz
And unless im mistaken the topic rubric preceded the ultra debates?

Topic rubric was specifically created for ultrarated. If we enforced this on everything it would kill 90% of site activity. Plus it would require making every other debate go through an approval process before it can even begin, which is just not practical.

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#5 •••
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@Savant

Then what sort of guideline should there be to have a topic?


Title

Description with bop

Short description?

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#6 •••
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I personally dont feel like it would kill engagement to have the standards of the topic rubric, we can disregard the organization of it.


And i know making ultrated topics arent that hard, ive made a few.


If nothing else. I think the standard of bop should be consistent.

BOP

[Specifies which side is responsible for proving something.]


Topic creation

[Must be fair, with each side having a roughly equal opportunity to win.]


If if there is a quibble over what is an "roughly equal opportunity to win"

It can be addressed when putting the BOP



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#7 •••
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@melcharaz

I think the next step should logically be including section for BoP, putting suggestions, warning against not defining specific terms, etc. Just to prevent a lot of the issues we've seen with semantic abuse.

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