What is Debate?

A debater’s guide to the argumentative universe…

How do we define debate?

Debate is: An academic game

You need to know the rules

A rhetorical contest Communication is essential

A strategic contest The best placed argument and/or evidence will

often rule the day…

Our two flavors of Debate

Policy Debate: Comparison of policy systems two-on-two debate affirmative or negative position based

on a set resolution focus on research, policy analysis, and

point-by-point refutation

Lincoln-Douglas DebateComparison of value systems one-on-one debate focus on persuasion, logic,

spontaneous analysis… the “big idea” debate

Policy Debate Structure 1AC - 8 minutes C-X - 3 minutes (2N asks, 1A answers) 1NC - 8 minutes C-X - 3 minutes (1A asks, 1N answers) 2AC - 8 minutes C-X - 3 minutes (1N asks, 2A answers) 2NC – 8 minutes C-X - 3 minutes (2A asks, 2N answers) 1NR - 5 minutes 1AR - 5 minutes 2NR - 5 minutes 2AR - 5 minutes

Lincoln-Douglas Structure

AC - 6 minutes

C-X - 3 minutes

NC - 7 minutes

C-X - 3 minutes

1AR - 4 minutes

NR - 6 minutes

2AR - 3 minutes

2012 - 2013 Policy Debate Topics

Resolved: The United States Federal Government should substantially increase its legal protection of economic migrants in the United States;

Or

Resolved: The United States Federal Government should guarantee universal health care for its citizens.

. 

Initial Affirmative Burden

It is the obligation of the affirmative to define the terms in the resolution… Common sense definitions will work, but

official defs are best.

The Affirmative Burden

Establish a Prima Facie case:

Need: Establish a SIGNIFICANT reason to adopt the resolution. Clearly point out the need for a new system… Establish an INHERENT barrier to the adoption of the

resolution…what the status quo cannot meet.

Plan: Provide a WORKABLE alternative to the present system.

Benefits: provide a plan that is free from relative DISADVANTAGES…and produces obvious and significant benefits.

1AC & 2AC Responsibilities

1AC: State your team’s support for the resolution Define key terms Establish the Need to adopt the resolution

2AC: Reaffirm support for the Resolution Outline the Affirmative Team’s Plan State the Benefits of the Aff. Plan Allot time to rebut 1NC arguments against 1AC

Obligations of the Negative

Goal: To counter the Affirmative’s Prima Facie case… The Affirmative lacks SIGNIFICANCE, or The Affirmative lacks INHERENCY, or The Affirmative plan is not WORKABLE, or The Affirmative plan contains SIGNIFICANT

disadvantages.

The Negative Team must be prepared to defend the Status Quo. The SQ doesn’t have to be perfect, and minor “repairs”

are allowed

First Negative Constructive

1NCTime allotted: 8 minutes The First Negative Constructive (1NC) is used

to make specific arguments against the Affirmative case. These are called Case Arguments

Focus on: Disadvantages - Critiques (inherent flaws) Topicality - Counter-plan

1NC needs to raise doubts in the judge’s mind that the Affirmative team has me (or is meeting) their burden)

2NC Responsibilities

2NC: Reaffirm 1NC position that the Aff. has not

bet the Burden of Proof Rebut 2AC Plan and Benefits If time, circle back and support 1AC Case

Arguments

Cross Examination

Goals of Cross-Ex: Expose contradictions

Do not allow for extended responses Paraphrase responses to help set the trap

Break the Causal Chain If you remove an argument from A+B+C = D, then the

argument is not valid Expose gaps in evidence and claims. Identify missing refutations

A good tactic for pointing out to the judge that your opponent has not proved your case unworthy

Don’t forget the Zen…

Be courteous Use your opponent’s name Don’t lose your cool Respond to questions briefly and to

the point. Don’t ramble… Stay focused