General Debate
Knowledge
All about
Public Forum
Green Machine
Make Your
Argument!
What's up with
the World?
100

Name the three subparts of analysis.

Context, Problem, Solution.

100

What is the name of the last speech in a PF round?

Final Focus

100

What is a patent?

A type of intellectual property that gives its owner the legal right to exclude others from making, using, or selling an invention for a limited period of time in exchange for publishing an enabling disclosure of the invention.

100

In 30 seconds, come up with a GOVERNMENT argument for the motion: THW make the development of clean industry a condition for receiving non-emergency aid.

One possible argument: This incentivizes countries to transition to clean energy sources. This is especially important for developing nations, who can pivot away from industrializing like other countries have.

100

In the span of three months, the popular online word game _____ went from a personal gift to a viral sensation. The game has even been featured on “The Tonight Show” and “Saturday Night Live.” EOY

Wordle

200

During refutation, you say that your opponent's impact can also happen on your side. What is this kind of rebuttal called? 

For 50 bonus points, is this offensive or defensive?

Non-unique; offensive.

200

How long are each of the 4 unique speeches in a PF round?

For 50 bonus points, how long is crossfire?

4min, 4min, 3min, 2min; Crossfire is 3min.

200

Explain how a patent can protect the incentives to research and develop new green technology.

Without allowing inventors to patent their inventions, other companies have the possibility to steal that technology and sell it too. Nobody wants to do research for which they will not be guaranteed a reward.

200

In 30 seconds, come up with an OPPOSITION argument for the motion: THW make the development of clean industry a condition for receiving non-emergency aid.

One possible argument: Getting green technology is difficult and expensive. It would be unfair for developed countries to hold developing countries to such standards, and it might mean that they withhold important aid.

200

This February, _____ officially became the first city to host both a Summer and a Winter Olympics. EOY

Beijing

300

What is the difference between a framework and a burden?

Framework: What the judge should value the most in this round.

Burden: What your side needs to prove in order to win the debate.

300

If you win the coin flip before the round, you can choose one of two advantages. What are they?

Choose your side (GOV/OPP) or choose your speaking order (1st/2nd).

300

Explain two unique benefits of allowing multiple companies to develop a piece of unpatented technology.

Better tech: problems are caught and solved when more people work on a piece of technology.

Cheaper tech: more companies selling a product will drive down its price.

More tech: Different companies can use a base technology for their own purposes (e.g. an engine as the foundation for many machines)

300

In 30 seconds, come up with a GOVERNMENT argument for the motion: THBT teachers should never tell students their political or religious beliefs

One possible argument: Children deserve the autonomy to make their own political/religious decisions. Teachers are in a unique position where children assume they are always right, so knowing the beliefs of their instructors could influence them unnecessarily.

300

Florida has barred high schools from teaching a new Advanced Placement course on ________, citing examples of what it calls “woke indoctrination.” JAN

African American studies

400

This term refers to when you preemptively address a possible refutation to your argument in your speech.

To spike, or spiking

400

You've been pranked! Name a debate format that is not CNDF or PF, and explain how it differs from either of these two formats we know.

BP, CX, WSD, LD, Policy, etc.

400

Explain how patents uniquely harm developing countries.

Companies in developed countries only allow foreign access to technological information in exchange for certain fees. Developing countries cannot afford the expensive patent taxes, which inhibits them from catching up technologically.

400

In 30 seconds, come up with an OPPOSITION argument for the motion: TH, as a large multinational corporation would publicly have a policy that 70% of its board be non-male 

One possible argument: Women or non-binary individuals in power become an easy scapegoat for any failure that the company has. 

400

One of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded in Turkey struck on Feb. 6, killing tens of thousands of people and devastating a densely populated region in southern Turkey and northern Syria.

Which country on the map (that Eliz is about to show you) is Turkey? FEB

A

500

Name at least 5 argument "categories" from the MS PETER mnemonic.

5 of the following: Military/Criminal Justice, Society, Politics, Environment, Economy, Technology/Science, Ethics, Education, Religion/Culture.

500

What is the term used to describe the process of choosing your strongest 1 or 2 arguments to talk about in your summary speech?

Collapsing

500

Explain why investors may be reluctant to invest in sectors without patents.

Investors want a return on their investment, and profits of a company might be uncertain if they cannot patent their invention. Investors will turn to other sectors that are less volatile.

500

In 30 seconds, come up with an OPPOSITION argument for the motion: This House regrets the rise of teenagers at the forefront of social movements (e.g. Greta Thunberg, Malala Yousafzai, the Parkland students) 

One possible argument: Teens are inspirational, get more media coverage than the average politician, and spur more young people to vote!

500

Ontario declared a state of emergency after truck drivers protesting _____ parked their rigs in the middle of intersections in Canadian cities, blocking traffic and, in some places, bringing daily life and business to a standstill. EOY

Vaccine mandates