Impact Weighing

  • Date 2022-07-21

General Definition: Any means of comparing impacts in a debate. See also “Weighing Mechanism“

  • Public Forum:In PF, students may explicitly or implicitly state their comparative weighing, including aspects of magnitude/scope, probability/likelihood, and timeframe. PF may use “Framework” arguments to prioritize certain impacts over others, although debates typically default to a “Cost-Benefits Analysis“.
  • World Schools Debate:In WSD, the discussion of impacts is largely done through scope/severity and probability. WSD uses the “Burden” and/or “Stance” to prioritize certain impacts over others, although debates typically default to a “Cost-Benefits Analysis“.
  • British Parliamentary:In BP, the discussion of impacts is largely done through scope/severity and probability (or synonyms for these terms). BP uses the “Burden” and/or “Stance” to prioritize certain impacts over others, although debates typically default to a “Cost-Benefits Analysis“.
  • Canadian National Debate Format:In CNDF, the discussion of impacts is largely done through scope/severity and probability. CNDF uses the “Burden” and/or “Stance” to prioritize certain impacts over others, although debates typically default to a “Cost-Benefits Analysis“.