The Format of Policy Debate
Debate is centered around a resolution, or a statement which can be reasonably supported or opposed. 

Format. A round of team policy debate consists of eight speeches. The first four speeches are called constructive speeches, because the teams are perceived as laying out their most important arguments during these speeches. The last four speeches are called rebuttals, because the teams are expected to  extend and apply arguments that   have already been made, rather than make new arguments. We will follow the traditional structure, but shorten the speeches to allow us to complete more debates.

                                        1st Affirmative Constructive - 5 minutes
                                             2nd Negative Cross-X - 2 minutes
                                        1st Negative Constructive - 5 minutes
                                             1st Affirmative Cross-X - 2 minutes
                                        2nd Affirmative Constructive - 5 minutes
                                              1st Negative Cross-X - 2 minutes
                                        2nd Negative Constructive - 5 minutes
                                               2md Affirmative Cross-X - 2 minutes
                                        1st Negative Rebuttal - 2 minutes
                                        1st Affirmative Rebuttal - 2 minutes
                                        2nd Negative Rebuttal - 2 minutes
                                        2nd Affirmative Rebuttal - 2 minutes  



Basic Debate Terminology

• Resolution - a statement which can be reasonably supported or opposed

• Affirmative - the team speaks in favor of the resolution and a significant change in policy.
  
• Negative - the team speaks against adopting the proposition. Argues for the status quo
• Status Quo - the policy that is currently in place.
• Constructive Speeches - these speeches  lay out the team's most important arguments supporting the resolution
• Rebuttal -  these speeches extend and apply arguments that have already been made, rather than make new arguments. 
• Refutation - the part of the argument where a speaker counters (argues against) opposing points of view. 
• Cross-Examination - gives one side the chance question their opponent in order to clarify the argument and evidence presented and to demonstrate flaws in the opponent's argument.
• Presumption - the present system or status quo is "innocent" until the affirmative proves that it should be changed.
• Burden of Proof - affirmative has the burden of proof; however, both sides are expected to clash over the issues.