Structure of a debate
9 minutes
The First Affirmative Constructive Speech involves the affirmative team identifying a problem that could be solved, proving INHERENCY (which shows that the status quo isn’t going to solve this problem without change), presenting a specific PLAN of what action should be taken, and SOLVENCY which shows how the plan will solve the problem.
SECOND NEGATIVE SPEAKER CROSS EXAMINES 1AC
3 minutes
Cross-examination is used to gain information and a better understanding of the affirmative’s arguments by asking questions. You can ask questions that set up your arguments to come and you can use these answers against them later.
FIRST NEGATIVE CONSTRUCTIVE SPEECH (1NC)
9 minutes
The First Negative Constructive Speech is used to make specific arguments against the Affirmative case, these are called CASE ARGUMENTS. You can also argue that if the affirmative’s plan is adopted bad things will happen, these are labeled as DISADVANTAGES. Other arguments include CRITIQUES, which argue that the fundamental assumptions of the affirmative are flawed and TOPICALITY, which says that the plan is not a representation of the topic. Another option to the negative team is to present a COUNTERPLAN, which is something the negative feels is a better alternative to the plan.
FIRST AFFIRMATIVE SPEAKER CROSS EXAMINES 1NC
3 minutes
SECOND AFFIRMATIVE CONSTRUCTIVE SPEECH (2AC)
9 minutes
This speech is the affirmative’s chance to argue against the disadvantages, critiques, case arguments, topicality arguments, and counterplans presented by the negative team.
FIRST NEGATIVE SPEAKER CROSS EXAMINES 2AC
3 minutes
SECOND NEGATIVE CONSTRUCTIVE SPEECH (2NC)
9 minutes
This speech is the negative’s opportunity to attack affirmative positions, defend negative positions, and is the last chance the negative will have to present any new arguments. The 2NC and 1NR (the next speech) should cover different issues, this is called DIVISION OF LABOR.
SECOND AFFIRMATIVE SPEAKER CROSS EXAMINES 2NC
3 minutes
(last cross-examination)
FIRST NEGATIVE REBUTTAL (1NR)
6 minutes
This is the first rebuttal in the round and is the speech when this negative speaker addresses the issues his partner did not cover in the 2NC, the speaker attacks affirmative speeches and defends negative positions.
FIRST AFFIRMATIVE REBUTTAL (1AR)
6 minutes
In this affirmative speech, the speaker answers all the negative issues and defends affirmative positions.
SECOND NEGATIVE REBUTTAL (2NR)
6 minutes
This is the negative’s last speech in the round, therefore, this is the speech in which the speaker must select the winning issues and sell them to the judge. Weigh the important issues and tell the judge why it is the negative that should win.
SECOND AFFIRMATIVE REBUTTAL (2AR)
6 minutes
This is the last speech in the round and is the affirmative’s last chance to tell the judge why he/she should vote for the affirmative plan. Select the issues you are winning and sell them to the judge. Weigh the important issues and tell the judge exactly why it is that the affirmative should get the vote.
JUDGES CRITIQUE
At this point the judge normally will disclose the winner of the debate; however, the judge may choose not to disclose. The judge will then give an explanation of the performance of each team and each debater during the round.