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: 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: 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: Direct responses to an argument, forming the disagreement of the debate. 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 …

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 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” …