policy debate

Two-person team debate in which one team (the affirmative) generally proposes a policy which they advocate throughout the brave. The negative then argues against the affirmative case and plan on several levels - procedural, kritikal, and policy. Constructive speeches (2 per team) last 8 minutes and are punctuated by an additional 3-minute cross-examination period in which the opposing team asks questions to clarify and discredit the speaker's positions. Rebuttals (again, 2 per team) last 5 minutes and have no cross-examination period.

On the national circuit, and many other "champ" or "varsity" tournaments, delivery rate is extremely rapid, resulting in an atmosphere that emphasizes strategy and good argumentation over delivery and persuasion.

My parents used to get upset over the time I spent on policy debate - cutting cards, travelling to tournaments, and such.

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