Summer Core Files
Preliminary Core Files for the upcoming 2022-23 debate season can be found below. The final Core Files and argument limits will be updated on this page by the start of the debate season.
Provisional Core Files
Chicago Debates Middle School Core Files
Word Document (Best for Paperless Debate using Microsoft Word)
PDF version of Core Files (Best for printing whole core files)
Individual Argument Files Version (Best for Students who will be using Chromebooks and best for printing single arguments)
Rookie Docs (Best for Rookie Debaters who will be using Chromebooks)
Chicago Debates High School Core Files
Word Document (Best for Paperless Debate using Microsoft Word)
PDF version of Core Files (Best for printing whole core files)
Individual Argument Files Version (Best for Students who will be using Chromebooks and best for printing single arguments)
Rookie Docs (Best for Rookie Debaters who will be using Chromebooks)
Chicago Debates Middle School Argument Limits
Remember that argument limits are a ceiling not a floor. You do not need to be an expert on all the listed positions for your division, just have the relevant 1NC frontlines (for the listed affirmatives) and 2AC blocks (for the listed negative positions) from the Core Files.
Please reference the schools page to check which conference you will be competing in.
Grant Park Conference
Chicago River Conference
Lake Michigan and Navy Pier Conferences
Chicago Debates High School Argument Limits
Remember that argument limits are a ceiling not a floor. You do not need to be an expert on all the listed positions for your division, just have the relevant 1NC frontlines (for the listed affirmatives) and 2AC blocks (for the listed negative positions) from the Core Files.
Please reference the schools page to check which conference you will be competing in.
Blue and Silver Conferences (up to T3)
Red and Maroon Conferences (up to T3)
Printing and Filing (updated Fall 2019)
Core Files Printing Vendors
This year we are working with a few print vendors.
For those who need a CPS vendor code to pay for the Core Files, please contact Riverside Graphics, Clyde Printing, or Crossmark. For those who can pay by check or credit card or do not need a vendor code, you may contact any of the below vendors.
How many copies should I order?
At a minimum, each school will need one copy for every pair of 2 students who will compete together at tournaments and at least 2-3 extra copies as backup and for coaches to keep at practice and for tournaments.
Riverside Graphics (CPS Vendor #18443):
1 set of CDL High School Core Files: $30
1 set of CMSDL Middle School Core Files: $20
Shipping Cost: $35 per order
Shipping up to 15 sets within the Chicago Area = $35
Please make sure schools are aware of the following:
1.) Please have orders directed to christie@riversidegx.com.
2.) NO order will be processed until payment has been arranged. As an approved vendor (#18443), we can accept official CPS Purchase Orders, checks, cash and major Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Amex and Discover).
3.) Orders are only accepted through the participating schools. No orders from individuals will be accepted, i.e., no having individual parents order one copy for each child.
4.) Please allow 3-5 days from receipt of the PO. Items are due to ship UPS Ground unless other arrangements are made.
We suggest that schools do not wait until the last minute. These orders are printed on demand and are processed in the order they are received, although we are well equipped to move them out as quickly as possible.
Crossmark (CPS Vendor #33451):
Contact Crossmark Printing Inc. by email or phone to request copies of the core file. andrea@ecrossmark.com, 708-429-9704
- Specify High School or Middle School Core Files (number of sets)
- Include Delivery Address and Coaches Name
- Provide Method of Payment
Sets are $29/each for High School, $17/each for Middle School. Please note: Delivery is $5.25 per core file up to 10 Core Files – please contact for orders larger than 10 Core Files. Delivery will take two to three days from the date of the provision of method of payment.
Clyde Printing (CPS Vendor #37678):
5 Middle School Core Files, shrink wrapped, and delivered $77.00
10 Middle School Core Files, shrink wrapped, and delivered $142.00
30 Middle School Core Files, shrink wrapped, and delivered $379.00
5 High School Core Files, shrink wrapped and delivered $108.00
10 High School Core Files, shrink wrapped and delivered $200.00
30 High School Core Files, shrink wrapped and delivered $558.00
Delivery to the school is included in all pricing.
Quartet Copies:
production@quartetdigitalprinting.com
Middle School Core Files – $10.01/copy
High School Core Files – $14.08/copy
Shipping rates to be determined at time of delivery.
Shipping through UPS
Kwik Kopy:
darrylwolf@kwikkopy.com
CDL HS Manuals -1 sided -B/W -3 HD & shrink wrapped 361 Originals
1 set $ 76.00
5 sets $ 310.00
Delivery is extra
CMSDL Manuals -1 sided -B/W -3 HD & shrink wrapped 257 Originals
1 set $ 37.00
5 sets $ 116.00
Delivery is extra
Chicago Debates Core Files File Folders
In order to be prepared to compete, each Chicago Debate team needs to have an evidence box, within which is a set of Core Files, properly filed.
We recommend using basic manila file folders, which are easy and cheap and you may already have around your school.
Some teams prefer accordion (or expanding) files to file folders. Here is a solid accordion file option. Note that this won’t fit your entire Core Files, but would work well if you selected one affirmative out of the options in the Core Files.
Chicago Debates Core Files Evidence Boxes
Consider getting a box for each team of 2 students to carry their evidence to and from tournaments.
