Guide to writing your brief

In the trials, each of the four speakers can take up to 10 minutes. The main speech should be about 4-6 minutes (roughly 2 pages), the rest of the time is for cross examination. Before each speech (except the first), the speaker will have the opportunity to cross-examine the speakers on the other side.  The idea of cross-examination is to clarify points or to expose faulty logic on the other side which one can exploit in one's own remarks.  After this first round of speeches and cross-examination, each speaker will have a second opportunity to deliver a short summary speech highlighting the key points the jury should consider. The first speaker will question the last speaker before beginning the final round of closing remarks.

Each trial brief shall be about four typed pages.  The brief is your preparation for the trial.  About half of the brief should be a prepared speech which expresses the core of what you will argue.  You will want to work out carefully what your position is, what evidence you can bring to bear, and how you will convince the jury you are right.   [The jury will also act as people from the past, and you should argue as though you are in the historical time period concerned.  In other words, you may not make an appeal to more recent events.]

The rest of the brief may take any form that you find most helpful, but must include questions for the other side and closing summary. It is also a good idea to outline or list key responses you might make to criticism or arguments you anticipate from the other side.  In short, you may include whatever paragraphs or notes you deem useful.  All debaters should have prepared remarks, but they also need to be flexible, and to respond directly to the arguments of the other side.

The trial briefs will be graded according to insight, clarity and comprehensiveness.  A student who can express an historical point of view convincingly--and demonstrates an understanding of the issues, ideas and implications involved in that point of view--will have earned an "A."