Disadvantage

  • Date 2022-07-18

General Definition: The negative effects of an action or idea; used to weigh the conclusions of an argument. Could also refer to a formal argument known as a disadvantage (or “DA”).

  • Public Forum: In PF, disadvantages (or “DAs”) can serve as independent arguments against a position that consist of three parts: uniqueness, link, and impact. While some judges allow disadvantages in PF, not all do, so it’s important for debaters to ask before a round if they plan to run one.
  • World Schools Debate: see general definition.
  • British Parliamentary: see general definition.
  • Canadian National Debate Format: see general definition.