Debate Speeches
This pre-written speech kicks off every debate round.
What is Constructive?
The 'so what?' of an argument — why anyone in the real world should care.
What is Impact?
This fallacy attacks the person making the argument instead of the argument itself.
What is Ad Hominem?
'70% of Americans support this policy, so it must be correct.' Name the fallacy.
What is Ad Populum?
The highest good being upheld in an LD debate round — examples include freedom, equality, or human dignity.
What is Value?
In this speech, a debater attacks their opponent's arguments using their flow notes.
What is Rebuttal?
This explains HOW and WHY evidence supports your contention.
What is a Warrant?
This fallacy assumes that because B came after A, A must have caused B.
'If we allow students to redo one test, soon no grades will mean anything and school will collapse.' Name the fallacy.
What is Slippery Slope?
This fallacy draws a conclusion using the same claim as its evidence, going in circles.
What is Circular Logic?
This speech reaffirms your case after rebuttals have been exchanged.
The conflict between the affirmative and negative sides' arguments
What is Clash?
When an arguer presents only two choices when many more actually exist.
What is Either/Or fallacy?
'My opponent clearly hasn't thought this resolution through with that argument.' Name the fallacy.
What is Ad Hominem?
The part of a debate where competitors question each other to expose flaws in arguments.
What is Cross Examination? / What is Cross Fire?
The final speech in a debate — you explain why your side won and drive home your impact.
What is a final focus or rationale speech?
A set of standards — like utilitarianism or human rights — that the judge uses to evaluate who won?
What is Framework?
This fallacy slides between two different meanings of the same word to trick the audience.
What is Equivocation Fallacy?
'That minor policy violation is just as bad as committing a crime.' Name the fallacy.
What is Moral Equivalence?
This fallacy makes a sweeping claim about a whole group based on only one or two examples or otherwise limited information.
What is Hasty Generalization?
The allotted time each team can use to pause the round and plan their next move.
What is Prep Time?
When a debater runs out of time or chooses not to respond to an argument, it is said to do this — and it hurts their case.
What is a Drop? / What is Dropping?
Judging an idea as wrong solely because of where or who it came from — not based on its merits.
What is Genetic Fallacy?
Actor Timothée Chalamet says we should ban homework, so we should.' Name the fallacy.
What is Appeal to Authority?
The specialized notes a debater takes throughout a round to track every argument made.
What is Flow?