The Structure Of A Policy Debate Round

If you are new to policy debate, the number of speeches and responsibilities may seem overwhelming and intimidating. However, once you break every thing down, understanding each speech will become easier with time. It is very important that you include some information at certain speeches in order to win the round. That is why we will be going through each of the speeches and what you should be doing in them.

1AC - First Affirmative Constructive - 8min

This is the first speech of the round, also it is where the affirmative team presents and argues their case. It really is your opening. You provide your plan and the arguments behind it.

• Make sure you lay out your harms, inherency, solvency, and the plan

• It is good to know the evidence by name, but it is not a requirement

• Depending on the tournament and area, speak slowly and clearly

1NC - First Negative Constructive - 8min

Now it is the negative's first speech. This is a very crucial speech as it sets up your strategy on how to attack the affirmative.

• Make sure all of the issues are responded to

• Able to introduce a wide variety of arguments such as disadvantages and counterplans

2AC - Second Affirmative Constructive - 8min

The 2AC is the time to respond to the 1NC. You should also further develop your own arguments.

• Answer the arguments (maybe counterplans, DAs, etc)

• Able to start narrowing the debate and keeping the most important arguments and ideas

• Keep everything organized

2NC - Second Negative Constructive - 8min

Further builds upon the 1NC. Pick some arguments to take in this speech, and your partner will take the others.

• Go in-depth or really hammer home specific parts about the affirmative case or neg arguments

• Do not read what the 1NR is planning on reading!!

1NR - First Negative Rebuttal - 5min

This is the second part of the "Negative Block". These two back to back speeches are critical and should be done in a strategic way.

• Again, make sure you extend something other than what the 2NC said

• Patch up any confusions from the 1NC

• Watch your time! Only 5 minutes on rebuttals

1AR - First Affirmative Rebuttal - 5min

Probably one of the hardest speeches to give in the round. The job of the 1AR is significant. You must respond to the points made in both the 2NC and 1NR.

• You cannot respond to everything in depth so prioritize your best points

• Quick, clean responses are key to being efficient

• Continue with the affirmative narrative for the 2AR

2NR - Second Negative Rebuttal - 5min

This is the last speech for the negative. Go all in with your arguments and explain to the judges why they should vote for you.

• Do a deep analysis. Explain why your side is better than the aff and why your arguments are better

• Make sure you include voters. Voters are reasons on why you should win. More recent evidence? They didn't respond?

2AR - Second Affirmative Rebuttal - 5min

The last speech for the affirmative and the round. Similar idea here to the 2NR

• Defend your case with responses to what the negative team extended

• Responding to the 2NR is huge here. Explain why what they said was wrong

• You must be confident and very persuasive to the judges

We have learned that literally every speech during the round has a very significant role. Early speeches are used to introduce arguments and clash, middle speeches are used to extend arguments, and the final speeches are used as a wrap up. If there are any questions at all, feel free to leave a comment!