General Definition: The side opposing the resolution in a debate, also known as the “Negative“. Public Forum: see general definition. World Schools Debate: Not a common phrase in WSD, where “Opposition” is used instead. British Parliamentary: Not a common phrase in BP, where “Opposition” is used instead. Canadian National Debate Format: Not …
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 …
General Definition: The end of a speech, usually including a recap of the speaker’s main points and framing of key points of clash. Public Forum: In PF, debaters typically aren’t expected to deliver a formal conclusion, although they may consider one if it serves a strategic purpose like judge adaptation. …
General Definition: The theory that the correctness of an action is determined by its consequences. Public Forum: Not a common phrase in PF, although weighing often includes consequential analysis. World Schools Debate: Not a common phrase in WSD, although weighing often includes consequential analysis. British Parliamentary: Not a common phrase in BP, although …
General Definition: The first speech in a debate round, used to build a case. New arguments in a debate are also referred to as “constructive material” regardless of the speech where they appear. Public Forum: In PF, the constructive speeches are four minutes long and typically consist of two “Contentions” …
General Definition: The substantive aspects of an argument; the “Warrants”. This is distinct from the stylistic delivery of a speech. Public Forum: In PF, judges vary on how they weigh substantive versus stylistic aspects of the debate, although they should focus on argument quality and engagement, with weak arguments penalized and …
General Definition: A full argument, including a statement of the central claim or premise, analysis of the status quo, mechanisms or links defining how the motion changes the status quo, and impacts. A debate case may be organized into multiple contentions (e.g. “Contention One”, “Contention Two”, etc.). Public Forum: see …
General Definition: A method of weighing two positions by comparing the disadvantages with the advantages; in other words, does the proposal do more harm or good? This is one of the most common ways to decide a debate round. Public Forum: see general definition. World Schools Debate: see general definition. …
General Definition: An alternative definition or set of definitions provided by Opposition in response to Proposition’s provided model. Countermodels should only be given if Proposition has provided a model that is too narrow in scope or skews the debate in a way that makes competition unfair for the Opposition team. …
General Definition: A form of negative argument that concedes the present system should be changed, but argues that the negative team’s proposal (i.e. counterplan) is better than what the affirmative has offered. Counterplans typically consist of a counterplan text and net benefit scenario. Public Forum: Not a common argument in PF, …
General Definition: A standard, rule, or test on which a decision or judgment is based. In policy debate, the basis for establishing or evaluating policy (i.e., net benefits). In value debate, the criterion is the method by which the value is assessed. Public Forum: Not a common phrase in PF, although …
General Definition: A three-minute period when debaters ask the speaker questions about their speech. May also refer to an American format of policy debate. Public Forum: Not used in PF, where “Crossfire” and “Grand Crossfire” are used to ask questions instead. World Schools Debate: Not used in WSD, where “Points of Information” …