There are basic things you can do, and probably already do, to stay organized during a debate, such as flowingGeneral 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. World Schools Debate: see general definition. British Parliamentary: see general More and using a timer. However, there are a variety of other things that you can add to your toolbox to build a better debate. Each of the following tips can be used in isolation or in combination with the others.

1. Flow your responses on your flow.

This one may seem silly, but it is not as common as one may expect. When I ask my students where they would flow their responses to their opponent’s arguments, I commonly receive the answer “on my speech document”. While it is great that we are writing down what we want to say, this is not an efficient or organized way to flow this information. Remember, the flow is like a game board and we want our arguments to line up and directly clashGeneral 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.
More with the other side. 

When flowingGeneral 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. World Schools Debate: see general definition. British Parliamentary: see general More our responses to arguments, flow the responses right next to the argument on your flow in the column for your side. If you are flowingGeneral 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. World Schools Debate: see general definition. British Parliamentary: see general More on paper, have both colored pens in hand so that you can switch back and forth between flowingGeneral 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. World Schools Debate: see general definition. British Parliamentary: see general More your opponent and writing your own arguments. If you are flowingGeneral 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. World Schools Debate: see general definition. British Parliamentary: see general More on a computer, make sure you pre-set the columns with alternating font colors to reflect proGeneral Definition: The side supporting the resolution in a debate, also known as the "Affirmative". • Public Forum: see general definition. • World Schools Debate: Pro is not a common phrase in WSD, where "Proposition" is used instead. • British Parliamentary: Pro is not a common phrase in BP, where "Government" is used instead. • Canadian National Debate Format: Pro More vs conGeneral Definition: The side opposing the resolution in a debate, also known as the "Negative". Public Forum: see general definition. World Schools Debate: Not a common phrase in WSD, where "Opposition" is used instead. British Parliamentary: Not a common phrase in BP, where "Opposition" is used instead.  Canadian National Debate Format: Not a common phrase in CNDF, where "Opposition" is used instead.  More. 

2. Create long and short versions of arguments.

Not every round is built the same. In any given debate, you will have different judges, different competitors, and different arguments. Because of this, it is important to have contingency plans for all of your pre-planned arguments in the debate. The best way to make sure you can adapt in any debate is to create different versions of your cases and blocks. 

With your cases, try to have a version you can read at a conversational pace and a version you can read a bit quicker. With blocks, have a short version that covers the three best arguments you could make and a longer version with more evidenceGeneral Definition: In debate, a supporting argument for why a claim is true, including examples, logic, studies, data, or expert opinion. Evidence may also refer to research in prepped debates. See also "Justification" and "Warrant". Public Forum: see general definition. World Schools Debate: In WSD, research is not prioritized as much as analysis in "Prepared Motions", and is not allowed at More and arguments tacked on. If you can organize your pre-written argumentation in a way that accounts for time and adaptation, you will save time during the debate. 

3. Cross-apply arguments. 

It is very common in a debate for the same argument to happen on multiple flows, but it can be extremely inefficient to go to both places and make the same arguments. This is where cross-application comes in. 

When cross-applying an argument, you are taking an argument made on one flow and moving it to another flow, thus applying the argumentation without wasting time or being redundant. 

For example, if I made an argument on the ProGeneral Definition: The side supporting the resolution in a debate, also known as the "Affirmative". • Public Forum: see general definition. • World Schools Debate: Pro is not a common phrase in WSD, where "Proposition" is used instead. • British Parliamentary: Pro is not a common phrase in BP, where "Government" is used instead. • Canadian National Debate Format: Pro More case and wanted to apply the same argument to something said on the ConGeneral Definition: The side opposing the resolution in a debate, also known as the "Negative". Public Forum: see general definition. World Schools Debate: Not a common phrase in WSD, where "Opposition" is used instead. British Parliamentary: Not a common phrase in BP, where "Opposition" is used instead.  Canadian National Debate Format: Not a common phrase in CNDF, where "Opposition" is used instead.  More case, I would simply say  “you can cross-apply this argument to x” and specify the contentionGeneral Definition: A full argument, including a statement of the central claim or premise, analysis of the status quo, mechanisms or links defining how the motion changes the status quo, and impacts. A debate case may be organized into multiple contentions (e.g. "Contention One", "Contention Two", etc.). Public Forum: see general definition. World Schools Debate: In WSD, two contentions are typically More and argument. As well, if I made an overviewGeneral Definition: A strategic argument delivered at the top of a speech that frames the debate in terms of certain points of clash or impacts. May also refer to evidence overviews that explain what an author means or where it fits into a certain argument. See also "Underview". • Public Forum: see general definition. • World Schools Debate: Not a More, I could cross-apply some of the analysis to other places on the gameboard to spread out my answers. Make sure that you are explicit about where you are applying the argument. Cross-application is intended to clean up the flow and make things more organized, so try to avoid overuse or muddied application.