Debate Definitions
The following definitions are offered to define key terms used in the NCFCA debate rules and clarify how some common terms are used in competition rounds and conversations concerning debate.
League Policies
Understand the guidelines and regulations that govern NCFCA competitions and events. Familiarize yourself with our policies to ensure a fair and enjoyable experience for all participants.
Complete Printed Source
Can be a published book, pamphlet, tract, etc. May also be a printed copy of the complete (entire) text of a proposed or actual piece of legislation, journal article, magazine article, etc.
Constructive Speeches
The speeches in a debate round dedicated to introducing, building, and responding to arguments
Cross-Examination
The period immediately following each constructive speech, during which the specified opponent is allowed to ask questions of the speaker
Cut and Formatted Evidence
Also commonly referred to as a “piece of evidence,” “evidence card,” or simply “evidence.”
Cut and formatted evidence consists of three essential parts:
- An exact excerpt of the text and/or a graphic that a debater plans to refer to in a debate round either by reading as a direct quote or summarizing
- The surrounding context cut to the closest reasonable boundaries such as the beginning and end of the surrounding paragraph
- A complete citation
Generally, it also contains a tag line. See samples.
Evidence
Facts, documentation, or testimony of others whether directly quoted or summarized
Present in the Round
Any evidence or claim made in a round that is supported by a named source
Rebuttal Speeches
The speeches in a round reserved for responding to and extending existing lines of argumentation rather than introducing new arguments
Refutation
A competitor’s response(s) to counter an opponent’s assertions, arguments, or support
Resolution
The arguable assertion set forth as the topical starting point for all debates of a particular style during the current competition season.
Support
Generally, consists of any or all of the following: analysis, analogies, evidence, examples, explanation, logic, and appeals to common sense
Team Policy Plan
The words read during the first constructive speech that set forth the terms of a team’s proposal for how to change the status quo, including but not limited to any of the following: mandates, agency, funding, enforcement, and timeline.
Verifiable by Public Means
Information that is verifiable by public means consists of publicly available information. Such information includes publications that are publicly available for purchase or may be obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. If the general public can access the information, then it is verifiable by public means. Information that is not available to the general public includes classified information, information that legally cannot be released, or private communication to which the general public does not have access (such as personal emails or phone calls).
Visual Aids
Items used to enhance the speech. In an online tournament, this also includes green screens, virtual backgrounds, or on-screen text.