Basic Debate Terms

the team or competitor who argues in favor of adopting the resolution

• affirmative/pro/aff

• negative/neg/con

• clash

• refutation

the affirmative’s responsibility to prove that the resolution is true. If the affirmative fails to prove the resolution, they ought to lose the debate.

• Burden of Rejoinder

• burden of proof

• Cost Benefit Analysis

True or false: clash is the direct responses to an opponent’s arguments. Also see “refutation.”

• true

• flash

the first speech given by each debater (both teams) in a round, used to build a case. New arguments are permitted during constructive speeches, which distinguish them from rebuttals (wherein new arguments are not allowed).

• constructive

• counterplan

• rebuttal

claims made for or against the resolution, often stated in one declarative sentence.

• criterion

• contention

• value

: one of the most common ways to decide a debate round, this philosophy requires a judge to analyze the benefits of a policy versus the cost. In other words, does the proposal do more harm or good?

• clash

• status quo

• cost benefit analysis

standard, rule, or test on which a decision or judgment is based. In policy debate, the basis for establishing or evaluating policy (i.e., net benefits). In value debate, it is the method by which the value is assessed (i.e., the value of “safety” can be measured in terms of freedom from harm; i.e., a person is safe when they are not being harmed, and that’s how you know that safety is occurring).

• criterion

• contention

• value

period of time when debaters ask each other questions.

• CX or Cross Examination

• rebuttal

• clash

note-taking during a debate, accurately recording the most important arguments and rebuttals.

• voting issues

• flowing

• refutation

• ballot

: the proposition or subject offered to debate

• resolution

• constructive

• counter plan

• case