Topicality (or “T”)

  • Date 2022-07-25

General Definition: An argument that states a competitor has misinterpreted a word in the resolution. Topicality structure includes a definition, explanation of how the other team violated that definition (“violation”), standards for why the judge should accept the definition, and reasons to vote for topicality.

  • Public Forum: Not commonly used in PF, but is still used on rare occassions when an opponent is abusive with their interpretation of the resolution.
  • World Schools Debate: Not a common phrase in WSD, where “Countermodels” are provided instead.
  • British Parliamentary: Not a common phrase in BP, where “Countermodels” are provided instead.
  • Canadian National Debate Format: Not a common phrase in CNDF, where “Countermodels” are provided instead.