Key Debate Terms

The reason why your claim is true. If an argument does not have this, it may automatically disregarded by some judges.

• bargain

• warrant

• resolution

• compare

The side that supports the resolution. This explains why the resolution is correct and is presented during the (AC).

• discussion

• contention

• affirmative

• broker

The topic of the debate. This sets forth the issues to be discussed in the debate and the respective sides affirmative and negative teams will take.

• resolution

• dialogue

• contention

• reasoning

A debater who offers an argument must show that it is valid in order for it to be accepted. In Lincoln-Douglas debate, the affirmative team has to prove the resolution true while the negative has to prove the resolution false.

• interchange

• rebuttal

• interchange

• burden of proof

Arguing against constructive arguments made by the other debater.

• warrant

• forum

• consult

• refutation

These types of speeches are done in which debaters introduce their position and advocacy. These are the first two speeches in a Lincoln-Douglas debate.

• interchange

• refutation

• constructive

• forum

These speeches are shorter speeches later in the debate in which debaters argue over issues that were built during the constructive speeches.

• resolution

• forum

• rebuttal

• interchange

This is a major argument in the debate. Affirmatives and negatives build their cases with this.

• contention

• burden of proof

• forum

• broker

This refers to published literature introduced into the debate to provide support for an argument.

• contention

• evidence

• explore

• cross-ex

This is the time one debater gets to interact with another debater by asking questions. Each debater gets three minutes after his/her opponent's constructive speech. Th time can be used for clarification or to set up an argument.

• rebuttal

• negotiate

• affirmative

• cross examination