Scroll to the bottom of the page to post a question in the comment field about debate and we’ll respond with helpful advice.

Note that the most recent questions and answers are at the bottom of the page, the earliest questions are at the top.

Questions answered so far:

• Most Recent
  • Is reading off-case positions like Disadvantages in the 2NC allowed? Is it strategic?
  • Can the Affirmative read the plan in the 2AC? Can it change the Affirmative case in the 2AC?
  • Can debaters use prep time before cross-examination?
  • Why are standards important in Topicality debates?
  • Can the 1NR and 1AR read evidence or is this not allowed in the rebuttals? (Also: why it’s a great idea to make offensive arguments in the 1AR)

• Coaches’ Corner
  • David’s Top Ten Recruiting Tips
  • Why all coaches (including and especially those who never debated) should coach arguments … And how to lead research and strategy for Affirmative and Negative positions
  • A note about competitive decorum and respecting your opponent

• General Debate Theory and Topicality
  • Which team has the burden of proof, aff or neg (Presumption)? And what about Counterplans?
  • How do you answer multiple Counterplans or multiple Topicality violations?
  • Why are standards important in Topicality debates?

• Kritiks
  • What is Framework?
  • [High School] Running Disadvantages and Kritiks together (Performative Contradictions)?
  • [High School] What is the Security Kritik and how do I answer it? What is the history of the kritik generally?

• Policy Debate Format, Rules, and Practice
  • Is reading off-case positions like Disadvantages in the 2NC allowed? Is it strategic?
  • Can the Affirmative read the plan in the 2AC? Can it change the Affirmative case in the 2AC?
  • Do teams have to share evidence they read in their speech with their opponents?
  • How do I read the results packet and what are the tiebreakers for who makes it to elimination rounds?
  • What happens if a team forgets to read their plan in the 1AC? And should cross-examination factor into a judge’s decision?
  • A note about competitive decorum and respecting your opponent
  • Which speech determines the numbering and structure of the flow on-Case and off-Case?
  • [High School] Can we run/research a Preview Affirmative another team has submitted? How do judges get paid for tournaments?
  • [Middle School] What are the differences between the Middle School and High School formats?
  • Does flowing matter? Can I succeed and win at debate without flowing?
  • Can the 1NR and 1AR read evidence or is this not allowed in the rebuttals? (Also: why it’s a great idea to make offensive arguments in the 1AR)
  • Can debaters use prep time before cross-examination?

• Research, Strategy and Previewing
  • [High School] Responding to new Preview cases
  • Why all coaches (including and especially those who never debated) should coach arguments … And how to lead research and strategy for Affirmative and Negative positions

• General League and Administrative Questions
  • Where can I find the dates of tournaments?
  • Where do I go if I have a question or need help at a tournament?
  • How do I qualify to judge at CDL tournaments?
  • [High School] Can we reconfigure our team pairings for the Chicago Debate Championship using our “At Large” students?
  • [High School] Can parents come and observe at the Chicago Debate Championship?
  • [High School] How do teams qualify for the Urban Debate Nationals?

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