Debate Vocabulary

3. Speaking time allotted to review arguments and clarify the round. No new arguments are allowed in rebuttals. In Public Forum, rebuttals are called First Speaker Summary and Final Focus.
5. Time allotted to each team that does not count as speaking time.
6. The cross examination period where you and your opponent take turns asking questions.
10. The cross examination period where all four debaters are allowed to speak.
11. An argument that goes unanswered by your opponent.
13. The speeches where you offer your main points following the basic structure we have used in class.
15. Giving your audience a heads up when you change arguments.
16. Using the flow to argue against your opponents’ arguments.

1. the lens through which you would like your argument viewed. This is used to help the audience weigh your points.
2. Aligning your arguments directly to your opponents’ points. Good debates provide a lot of clash. Debates get very hard to judge when they are two teams making points but not
4. The so-what factor of your claim. Impacts win debates
7. The exact wording of your topic. Good resolutions are clearly worded to imply a clear Pro and Con stance.
8. The note-taking technique used in debate to track all points and arguments.
9. A main point or separate argument; a general statement or point you are trying to make.
12. valid quotes and sources that are delivered conversationally. Sometimes referred to as a “card” which refers to the days when debaters cut and pasted their quotes on note cards.
14. Giving your audience a very basic preview of your speech