DUDL Policy Debate (Cx)
Policy debate is an extracurricular activity where two teams of two people competitively discuss issues of United States governmental policy. Each year, a yearlong topic is determined and teams debate whether that topic, or “resolution,” is a good or bad idea. The affirmative will advocate for the resolution by proposing a plan. Conversely, the negative will argue against the affirmative plan by proving that the affirmative has not met their prima facie burden and thus a policy change is not warranted; that a better policy option exists; that the plan is philosophically unsound; or, that the plan is procedurally unfair.
The topic this year:
Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its security cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in one or more of the following areas: artificial intelligence, biotechnology, cybersecurity.
The topic this year:
Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its security cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in one or more of the following areas: artificial intelligence, biotechnology, cybersecurity.
How to judge DUDL debate?
● The judge must ultimately vote for the team that presented the better arguments.While there is quite a bit of jargon in policy debate, the activity is, at heart, about persuasion. The judge must set aside their own personal opinions about the topic and evaluate the debater’s positions.
● Flow (take notes) – Write down debaters’ arguments in shorthand. In order to evaluate the arguments and logic presented in the debate, you need to have a detailed list of the argument.
● Be an objective observer, evaluate the arguments not the style
● Time the debate: see time limits on the next page.
Filling out debate ballots:
● Before rounds begin, ballots are handed out. Ballots will have which teams you are observing and in what room. When you get to your room with both teams there, have the students tell you which speaker position they are and fill in if they are 1st or 2nd of their side.
● During the round, judges should note of how well each speaker delivers their speech. On the ballot the judge will assign speaker points; points are ranked out of 30, with the typical range being 25-30. Debate is about who made the the better argument so a judge me, give the win to the side with fewer speaker points win- this is called a low-point win, judges will clarify this on the ballot.
● On the ballot, judges must specify which school won and what side they were as well as providing a signature to verify their decision
● Students get these ballots after tournaments so judges will have provided feedback and and comments as to how they evaluated the debate.
After the Round:
● At DUDL, we ask judges to give an oral critique of the round. Many students are debating for the first time ever and while constructive criticism is necessary, positive feedback will also be provided.
● Judges will fill out ballots and return them to the registration table.
● The judge must ultimately vote for the team that presented the better arguments.While there is quite a bit of jargon in policy debate, the activity is, at heart, about persuasion. The judge must set aside their own personal opinions about the topic and evaluate the debater’s positions.
● Flow (take notes) – Write down debaters’ arguments in shorthand. In order to evaluate the arguments and logic presented in the debate, you need to have a detailed list of the argument.
● Be an objective observer, evaluate the arguments not the style
● Time the debate: see time limits on the next page.
Filling out debate ballots:
● Before rounds begin, ballots are handed out. Ballots will have which teams you are observing and in what room. When you get to your room with both teams there, have the students tell you which speaker position they are and fill in if they are 1st or 2nd of their side.
● During the round, judges should note of how well each speaker delivers their speech. On the ballot the judge will assign speaker points; points are ranked out of 30, with the typical range being 25-30. Debate is about who made the the better argument so a judge me, give the win to the side with fewer speaker points win- this is called a low-point win, judges will clarify this on the ballot.
● On the ballot, judges must specify which school won and what side they were as well as providing a signature to verify their decision
● Students get these ballots after tournaments so judges will have provided feedback and and comments as to how they evaluated the debate.
After the Round:
● At DUDL, we ask judges to give an oral critique of the round. Many students are debating for the first time ever and while constructive criticism is necessary, positive feedback will also be provided.
● Judges will fill out ballots and return them to the registration table.
Time Limits of Policy Debate
Speech |
Time |
General Purpose |
1 Affirmative Constructive (1AC) |
8 Minutes |
Present the affirmative case |
The second negative asks the 1AC questions |
3 Minutes |
Ask questions, clarify arguments, set up positions |
1 Negative Constructive (1NC) |
8 Minutes |
Present the negative “off-case” and attack the affirmative |
The first affirmative asks the 1NC questions |
3 Minutes |
Ask questions, clarify arguments, set up positions |
2AC |
8 Minutes |
Attack negative positions and rebuild the affirmative case |
The first negative asks the 2AC questions |
3 Minutes |
Ask questions, clarify arguments, set up positions |
2NC[1] |
8 Minutes |
Develop some of the negative positions and defend them against the affirmatives attack |
The second affirmative asks the 2NC questions |
3 Minutes |
Ask questions, clarify arguments, set up positions |
1 Negative Rebuttal (1NR) |
5 Minutes |
Develop a couple of the negative positions and defend them against the affirmatives attack |
1 Affirmative Rebuttal (1AR) |
5 Minutes |
Rebuild the affirmative case and answer the positions developed in the “negative block” |
2NR |
5 Minutes |
Summarize the round, pick a negative position, and explain why the negative should win |