Changing one’s method of debating and speaking to appeal to and persuade different types of judges. See also “Flow Judge” and “Lay Judge”.
General Definition: The judge’s written decision determining the winners of a debate and “Speaker Points” for each debater. Public Forum:Commonly used. In PF, a judge’s ballot includes a “Reason for Decision”, written feedback to debaters, and speaker points typically ranging from 25 to 30 based on each debater’s delivery. World …
General Definition: Asking back to back Points of Information (POIs) to a point that it becomes excessive and prevents your opponent from giving a speech. Students should aim to call for a POI no more than once every 20-30 seconds, although the expectation is less often. Public Forum: Not used in …
General Definition: Competitors representing the same side of the debate. Public Forum: Not commonly used in PF. World Schools Debate:In WSD, a bench is made up of all of the members on a given team. There will be a Proposition bench and Opposition bench in each round. British Parliamentary: In …
General Definition: In general, the affirmative responsibility to prove that the resolution should be adopted. More specifically, any claim that creates a proposition of fact — that something is or isn’t true — must meet the burden of proof by providing some form of evidence or example proving it true. …
General Definition: In general, the negative responsibility to clash with the affirmative case. More specifically, any time a team establishes a proposition of fact — a claim that something is or isn’t true — the other team has a burden of rejoinder to clash with that claim. Public Forum: see …
General Definition: What each side needs to prove in order to win a debate. Typically, debaters default to a simple “Cost-Benefit Analysis” that compares the advantages of their side with the disadvantages of their opponent, but a more strategic burden will prioritize impacts that are easier for one side of …
General Definition: A presiding officer, commonly the most experienced judge on a panel (or the only judge if there is no panel), responsible for formalities within the debate such as: introducing speakers, inviting competitors to speak, tapping the table for protected time and grace, and engaging in conclusionary processes to …
General Definition: The main point or central thesis of an argument; what the debater seeks to prove true. Public Forum: see general definition. World Schools Debate: see general definition. British Parliamentary: see general definition. Canadian National Debate Format: see general definition.
General Definition: Argument that a position is preferable as long as it has some advantage over the alternative, even if that benefit is minor. Public Forum: see general definition. World Schools Debate: see general definition. British Parliamentary: see general definition. Canadian National Debate Format: see general definition.
General Definition: Failure to respond to an opponent’s argument. Public Forum: In PF, conceded arguments are generally granted as an agreement with the opponent. That said, concessions don’t automatically mean the other team will win the entire argument; it is still the responsibility of the debater to explain why that …