Rules of Engagement for Participants
- Residents will each have a total of five (5) minutes to present.
- Four (4) minutes initial presentation
- One (1) minute rebuttal
- Participants must follow time restrictions.
- Theatrics are allowed, but must not be excessive.
- Props are NOT allowed.
- Residents may use a maximum of five PowerPoint slides in their argument and three for their rebuttal.
- Residents must stay until the end of the session.
- Each participant will receive a certificate. The winning residents of each debate will receive a trophy, and the grand debate champion will receive a plaque and a cash prize.
Rules of Engagement for the Judges
- The judge must be impartial.
- The judges shall try to avoid interacting with the participating residents prior to the debate.
- Persuasiveness, data, quality and forcefulness of the presentation shall determine the winner, not the correctness of the position as judged by conventional practice. A score sheet for the judge will be provided.
- The judges may disqualify participants if the Rules of Engagement are not followed.
- The judges have only one minute per presentation to cast their judgment.
- An audience participation system may be used to allow audience members to cast their vote.