General Definition: The current state of affairs; the present system. Arguments should usually begin with analysis of the status quo so the audience understands what is happening now before the motion is passed. Public Forum: Commonly used. See also “Uniqueness“. World Schools Debate: see general definition. British Parliamentary: see general …
General Definition: Decisions made in the debate to optimize your likelihood of winning. Strategy can include argument choice, time allocation, the balance of offense and defense, rate of speech, and questioning approaches. Public Forum: see general definition. World Schools Debate: In WSD, this is 20% of a judge’s ballot. Strategy …
General Definition: How one delivers speeches, including techniques like tone, pitch, rate, facial expressions, gestures, volume, eye contact, word choice, etc. Public Forum: Commonly used. In PF, style is typically evaluated as part of a debater’s “Speaker Points“, although it may influence the judge’s perception of their arguments as well. …
General Definition: A method for synthesizing the debate and resolve disagreements by explaining why one argument should win over another. May also refer to the third speech of a debate that accomplishes a similar goal. Public Forum: In PF, a three-minute speech used to extend key arguments/clash and weighing, as …
General Definition: Preparing to debate both sides of a motion. Public Forum: see general definition. World Schools Debate: In WSD, students must be prepared to switch sides for a Prepared Motion. British Parliamentary: Not used in BP, except as a training activity. Canadian National Debate Format: In CNDF, students must …
General Definition: The final, and often most severe, impact of an action or reaction. Public Forum: see general definition. World Schools Debate: Not commonly used in WSD. British Parliamentary: Not commonly used in BP. Canadian National Debate Format: Not commonly used in CNDF.
General Definition: The amount of time a speaker has to deliver their speech or ask questions. Public Forum: In PF, time limits for each speech are as follows: 1) Constructive Speeches: 4 minutes; 2) Rebuttal Speeches: 4 minutes; 3) Summary Speeches: 3 minutes; 4) Final Focus: 2 minutes; 5) Crossfire …
General Definition: When an impact occurs and well as how long it lasts (i.e. short-term, long-term, etc.). Timeframe arguments are used to establish urgency. Public Forum: see general definition. World Schools Debate: Not a common phrase in WSD, although teams should try to establish the urgency and/or timeliness of their …
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 …
General Definition: A metric for understanding a judge’s personal preference in evaluating debates. “Truth” judges prefer highly intuitive arguments while “Tech” judges prefer highly strategic arguments. See also “Adaptation“. Public Forum: see general definition. World Schools Debate: see general definition. British Parliamentary: see general definition. Canadian National Debate Format: see …
General Definition: An offensive form of refutation that reverses an argument by explaining why it actually helps the other side. See also “Offense“, “Link Turn“, “Impact Turn“, and “Double Turn“. Public Forum: see general definition. World Schools Debate: Not a common phrase in WSD, where phrases like “this actually works …
General Definition: A strategic argument delivered at the bottom of a speech that contextualizes the debate in terms of certain points of clash or impacts. May also refer to evidence underviews that explain what an author means or where it fits into a certain argument. See also “Overview“. Public Forum: …