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The Basics

Topics: Worded as resolutions, meaning they advocate solving a problem by establishing a position.
Debates, at their simplest are a clash of ideas.
The point of debate is to simultaneously prove your points to be right and disprove your opponents

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Case Development

A team must develop BOTH a pro and con case, persuasively supported by evidence and reasoning.

Because of the short nature of rounds, and strategy regarding keeping the judge interested, your cases should focus on quality over quantity.

Your case is fluid, what you go into a competition with can always (and in most cases do) change.

Effective cases include a mix of facts, statistics, expert quotations, studies, polls; but it may also be real-life examples and analogies

Teams should not overwhelm their case with evidence; rather, they should select the BEST evidence

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Case Development Continued

A case is divided into 3 contentions, sometimes 2 if they’re complicated enough. A contention is a primary point you use to explain why you’re right.

Use GOOD evidence, cite quotes from people related to the topic, and trustworthy sources.

Example: NATO should increase its defense commitment to the Baltic States to stand up to growing Russian aggression in the region.

The main contention should be stated at the beginning of your paragraph followed by various evidence to support the statement.

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The Coin Flip

The coin flip is done at the beginning of every debate round.
One team will call it and if they win, they get first choice of either the side they will argue or the speaker order, the losing team gets second choice.

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Speeches and Time Limits

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The Prepared Case Speech

The speech will occur in the first round of the debate, this is literally just one of the partners reading the case to the judge.

It is completely acceptable to read off a paper/computer you don’t have to worry about memorization.

You have 4 minutes to read your entire speech, try not to speak too fast, if the judge can’t tell what you’re saying they can’t judge you.

Its basic etiquette to state your contentions before going into your evidence.

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Other notes:

Prep Time: In most debates you have a set amount of prep time, which is basically a time out you can call to reorganize or compare notes with your partner, if your opponent uses their prep time it does not count against you.
Practice makes perfect: don’t read your speech out loud for the first time at a competition, as you're making it, and once you’re finished routinely read through your speech, time yourself to make sure you fit into 4 minutes and become extremely familiar with the speech.

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The Crossfire

Crossfires are questioning periods between speakers.
In crossfire, both debaters have equal access to the floor, questions are asked and the other speaker answers, they’re self paced, whoever wants to ask the first or next question can.
A general rule of thumb is to always write down at least 2 questions to ask your opponent while taking notes.
A debater who attempts to dominate or be rude to his opponent will lose points, DON’T LET YOUR EMOTIONS GET TO YOU.

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What a crossfire should look like

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What a crossfire shouldn’t look like

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The Rebuttal Speeches

The rebuttal speeches are meant to entirely refute the opponent's case, this is done by the “second speaker” which is decided by each team.

The job of the second speaker is to take sufficient notes of the opponent's argument and craft a speech showing the flaws in their argument.

Obviously, the more flaws you can point out in 4 minutes, the better.

It’s usually best if you have some counter points already prepared for both sides so you know what you’re looking for.

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The Summary

This is a speech given by the first speaker following the second speaker’s crossfire.
The summary is the culmination of notes you should have taken about the opponent's speech, rebuttal speech, and your own points.
You are both showing why your point is right and talking about the flaws of your opponents.
Example: The opponents have refused to address our point that the Baltic nations have an imminent threat in the form of Russia. They also haven’t been able to properly address the fact that this increase in spending would be completely defensive, refuting their point about it increasing tensions.

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The Grand Crossfire

This occurs immediately after the summaries and is the only point when all speakers address each other.
This is a 2 versus 2 situation, so try to make sure both of you have questions prepared and that both get involved.
Just like a regular crossfire its important to not be a bully but also don’t be a push over, if the opponents are Gish Galloping call them out on it, most judges will recognize it.
If you can successfully ask more questions that your opponents have a hard time answering and answer all your opponents questions you should win the round.

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The Final Focus

This is your last jab at the opponent directed to the judge.
This is a VERY brief summary of all their flaws throughout the debate and all your excellences.
List the questions they didn’t answer, the points in your argument they didn’t address, the questions you answered well.
Try to cram in as much “they were wrong and I was right” points as possible.