General Speech and Debate Knowledge
the name of the type of debate we are doing right now!
what is lincoln douglas?
asking opponents to re-explain their arguments
what is a clarification question?
"My opponent is claiming that we should ban plastic straws. With this framework, they will soon ban everything that makes our lives convenient in the name of 'protecting the environment' when really they just want to excessively restrict our freedom!"
What is a slippery slope?
the part of the argument that shows why it matters
what is an impact?
directly responding to your opponent's argument
what is a direct response?
The name for a piece of evidence in Lincoln Douglas, typically including specifically emphasized parts of an article
what is a card?
trying to set up an argument against your opponent within cross itself
what is an argumentative question?
"My opponent claims that littering should be banned from society. However, I saw them toss their napkin into the garbage, fail, and walk away."
What is ad hominem?
the main purpose statement that clarifies what the argument actually is
what is a claim?
using one response to destroy multiple parts of your opponent's argument
what is argument clustering
the name for the limited-preparation debate event where you can debate over things like chocolate vs. vanilla or whether aliens exist!
What is SPAR debate?
attacks on the evidence or reasoning of your opponent
what is a warrant question?
"When we are little, our moms always tell us to defend ourselves whenever someone is being mean. This is the exact same thing with self-defense laws. So if there's anyone we listen to, it should be our mothers."
What is appeal to authority?
DOUBLE JEOPARDY
what is YAYYYYY!!
"Even if plastic straws aren't good for the environment, they are still worth it due to their availability, convenience, and classic comfortable feel for users."
The term used to describe taking notes during a debate
What is flowing?
challenging the framework your judge will be using to decide who wins in the round
what is a framing question?
"I really like pancakes." (Person A)
"So, you're saying you dislike waffles????!" (Person B)
What is a strawman?
explaining the reasoning
what is a warrant?
making your opponent's argument look so ridiculous that they have no choice but to drop it
what is forcing your opponent to over-defend their argument (and ultimately drop)?
the name of the type of speech we did
original oratory
forcing opponents to admit that something doesn't necessarily cause another thing (an outside source could be affecting the outcome!)
what is a causality challenge question?
Person A: It is widely accepted by most people that aliens exist. Therefore, if you say they do not, you fall in a very small minority of people.
Person B: Hey, that's not a fair argument because of [insert the name of the fallacy here]
What is a bandwagon?
guiding the judge/audience through the order and structure of your speech or each individual argument/refutation
what is a signpost??
Even if my opponent ends up saying nuclear weapons are bad, they will still miss out on the fact that most nuclear weapons never actually end up being used, and their existence rather than their usage is what has the real (positive) impact on international relations!
what is frontlining?