Purpose

The 90-second closing appeal speech format was first piloted at tournaments during the 2018-19 season, and discussed by the NSDA’s Ad Hoc Congressional Debate Committee. The speech is designed to give an author/sponsor the ability to demonstrate refutation skill, and it should function similarly to the Final Focus speech of a Public Forum Debate round. In other words, the burden to the author/sponsor will be to flow the debate and determine what the most important issues were — and then group/summarize (where are there thematic connections?), and then compel the room to vote in favor of the legislation based on those most important issues. This is not a speech to introduce a new point.  One of these speeches would probably start with, “What this debate comes down to is…” — and then focus on one or two key themes. Then, reinforce why those points are important by connecting them to the central theme/reason from the earlier speech. Think about this last speech as being a way to bring everything in the debate back to the purpose/reason for needing the bill in the first place.

Protocol & Procedure

For Tournaments Using a Time Limit on Debate

56-60 minutes (for a one-hour limit; adjust accordingly for other time limits) after debate commences on a bill/resolution, the PO should say, “debate on this legislation concludes” and recognize the author/sponsor for the Closing Appeal.” There is no need to move the previous question, unless a legislator wishes to, prior to 56 minutes into debate, but be mindful of the limited number of bills/resolutions available in the agenda. If a chamber completes its agenda within 10 minutes of the posted end time for a round, and every delegate has had the opportunity to speak twice, the chamber may adjourn early.

For Tournaments With No Time Limit

Once debate is exhausted on a bill/resolution – or a delegate moves previous question, the PO should say, “debate on this legislation concludes” and recognize the author/sponsor for the Closing Appeal.” If a chamber completes its agenda within 15 minutes of the posted end time for a round, and every delegate has had the opportunity to speak twice, the chamber may adjourn early.