Speech and Debate Glossary

What is the definition of 'Ballot' in speech and debate terminology?

• The sheet of paper or online location where judges write the results of an individual round of competition, which they submit to the Tab Room or online tabulation system.

• A formal argument presented by a debater during a round.

• The process of selecting the speaking order in a debate.

• A set of rules that governs the structure of a debate tournament.

What does 'Break' mean in speech and debate terminology?

• Advancing to the next level of competition; break rounds are rounds where certain numbers of students are eliminated at the end of each heat. The last break round at a tournament is the final, featuring two opposing debate teams or six speech contestants.

• Taking a scheduled rest period during a debate or speech round.

• Interrupting an opponent during their speech to ask a question.

• Switching debate partners between rounds.

What is a 'Code' in speech and debate tournaments?

• A system used to keep the identity of contestants anonymous, often a combination of numbers and letters, which designate school, event, and sequence.

• A set of rules for judging debates.

• A secret language used by debaters to communicate during rounds.

• A list of topics to be discussed in the tournament.

What are 'Divisions' in a speech and debate tournament?

• Categorizations of competition at a tournament, such as 'varsity,' 'junior' or 'JV,' 'novice,' and 'open.'

• The different rounds of a debate, such as preliminary, quarterfinal, semifinal, and final.

• The various topics assigned to participants for each round.

• The awards given to top performers at the end of the tournament.

What does 'Flight' refer to in speech and debate tournaments?

• Due to room or time constraints, tournaments will sometimes schedule back-to-back contests in the same room during a single round's timeframe.

• A special award given to the best speaker in a tournament.

• A rule that allows participants to skip preliminary rounds.

• The process of randomly assigning judges to different rounds.

What is 'Forensics' in the context of speech and debate?

• The overarching term for speech and debate, though it sometimes connotes speech competition, particularly in states with split debate and speech seasons.

• A method of analyzing criminal evidence in a courtroom.

• A style of persuasive writing used in journalism.

• A type of dramatic performance involving only poetry.

Who is a 'Judge' or 'adjudicator' in speech and debate tournaments?

• An adult who evaluates a round of competition. Judges are drawn from educators, former competitors, and business professionals.

• A student who participates in the debate.

• A person who organizes the tournament schedule.

• A member of the audience.

What are 'Prelims' in a speech and debate tournament?

• Guaranteed preliminary rounds at a tournament, before competition breaks to elimination rounds.

• The final championship round of the tournament.

• A practice session held before the actual tournament begins.

• Rounds where only judges participate without competitors.

What does 'Posting' mean in speech and debate tournaments?

• The process or location of prelim schematics or lists of contestants breaking to elims.

• The act of announcing the winners of the tournament.

• The process of submitting evidence during a round.

• The method of timing speeches during a debate.

What is a 'Record' in debate or speech?

• The win-loss ratio, or in speech, the total ranks; a general standing of success.

• A written transcript of the debate or speech.

• A list of sources cited during the event.

• A recording of the event for later review.