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.

the negative's responsibility to disprove the affirmative case. If the negative fails to disprove the resolution, they ought to lose the debate.

direct responses to an opponent's arguments. Also see "refutation"

the first speech given by each debater in a round, used to build a case.

the negative admits the present system should be changed, but argues that the negative team's proposal is better than what the affirmative has offered.

most 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 of good?

claims made for or against the resolution, often stated in one declarative sentence. A debate case may be organized into contentions.

period of time when debaters ask each other questions.

standard, rule, or test on which a decision or judgment is based.

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

a judge's educational philosophy: the model or view that guides his or her decision.

system of ranking in elim rounds where teams with equal records debate each other.

directly attacking the opposing teams arguments.

the team or competitor who defends the present system and argues against the resolution.

speech that rebuilds arguments after attacks, refutes arguments of the opposing team, and summarizes the debate.

the proposition pr subject offered to debate.

the current state of affairs, the present system.

a concept, standard, or ideal in value debate rounds

an argument that states a competitor has misinterpreted a word in the resolution.

the key points in a debate that are crucial to the outcome. reasons why the judge should give the decision to a team.

the standards by which a judge evaluates the success of the affirmative and negative's cases. standards by which a decision is made