General Definition: A form of nonverbal communication that involves looking at members of the audience while speaking. Good eye contact demonstrates that the speaker is confident and enthusiastic. Public Forum: see general definition. World Schools Debate: see general definition. British Parliamentary: see general definition. Canadian National Debate Format: see general …

General Definition: A judge with significant experience in debate, either as a former debater or coach. These judges will typically vote based on a detailed “Flow” of the debate and default less on stylistic or argument preferences, although debaters should always ask a judge their preferences before a round (see …

General Definition: A method for taking notes during a debate to accurately record the most important arguments and points of clash. Typically, speeches are flowed side-by-side to track how an argument develops over the course of a debate. Also referred to as a game board. Public Forum: see general definition. …

General Definition: A “lens” by which the judge should view the round or priorize certain impacts over others. Typically, debaters default to a simple “Cost-Benefit Analysis” that compares the advantages and disadvantages of a position, but a more strategic framework will prioritize impacts that are easier for one side of …

General Definition: A form of nonverbal communication that uses one’s hands while speaking to provide emphasis and enhance persuasiveness. Public Forum: see general definition. World Schools Debate: Commonly used. In WSD, gestures are also used to manage POIs. For example, if you are offered a POI, you may simply wave them …

General Definition: A method of evaluating an argument by considering what might happen in an imagined scenario. 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: 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 …

General Definition: The final result of a cause and effect relationship that explains why the argument has meaning or value. A good impact answers the question, “Why does this argument matter?” See also “Impact Weighing“. Public Forum: see general definition. World Schools Debate: see general definition. British Parliamentary:see general definition. …