Designed to facilitate research, preparation, and presentation of arguments for the national debate topic, this manual summarizes trends in poverty over the past 24 years, examines reasons for changes in the rate of poverty, discusses demographic characteristics of the poverty population, and analyzes methods used to calculate the number of poor Americans. The volume begins with a collection of articles and excerpts from books that present a general background on poverty and issues surrounding potential government policies directed at reducing poverty. Subsequent parts are devoted to each of three debate propositions: that the federal government should (1) guarantee a minimum annual cash income to all United States citizens, (2) adopt a negative income tax to assist all citizens living in poverty, and (3) provide employment for all employable citizens living in poverty. The manual concludes with a guide to information sources and brief bibliographies of selected additional readings and available government publications. (HTH)