ACCRUE

to accumulate or to increase

ADVANTAGE

what is gained by adopting the affirmative plan

AFFIRMATIVE*

the side in the debate arguing in favor of the resolution; the side that wants to change the status quo

ANALYSIS*

the higher level thinking skill of breaking down an idea into its parts (parts may be comparisons, contrasts, causes and effects, and trends) [In debate, analysis follows a fairly standard process of finding pro and con positions on the issues.]

ARGUMENT*

a process of reasoning [Points are developed that move from the known to the unknown and use evidence to reach a conclusion.]

BRIEF

an outline of an argument with evidence that supports one side of the proposition

BURDEN OF PROOF

the obligation of debaters, affirmative or negative, to prove with evidence and reasoning any argument they introduce

CASE

affirmative arguments that show a need to change

CAUSAL LINK

the logical connection between two events or arguments—the link

CAUSALITY

the relationship between two things in which one is believed to cause the other

CIRCUMVENT

to get around or avoid

CLASH

the term used to refute an argument

CONSTRUCTIVE SPEECH*

the first speech given by each participant in a debate [In this speech, the debater presents the arguments in support of his/her position.]

COUNTERPLAN

alternative plan to the affirmative proposal [A counterplan must be non-topical.]

DELIVERY*

the presentation of a speech including fluency, projection, eye contact, and style

DISADVANTAGE

negative argument indicating that adoption of the plan will result in severe consequences

EVIDENCE*

facts, statistics, and expert testimony given in support of an argument

FLOW CHART

a system of keeping track of arguments given in a debate [A flow chart is for the personal use of each team and is not shown to the judges or other team.]

FLUENCY

the ability to speak knowledgeably about the debate topic with a comfortable pace and smooth delivery

GESTURES

movements of the body, or part of the body, to express or emphasize ideas and emotions

HARM

an undesirable impact or result brought about by a plan or policy

IMPROMPTU

to speak on a topic with a short amount of preparation time

INHERENT

the nature or character of something, a necessary part [Inherent is used to describe a feature or characteristic that exists and will continue to exist in the absence of the affirmative plan.]

JUSTIFICATION

why the resolution, rather than any other program, should be adopted

NEGATIVE*

the side of the debate arguing against the resolution

ORGANIZATION*

the three part organization of a speech—introduction, body, and conclusion

PACE

the rate at which a speaker delivers his/her ideas, arguments, and refutation

PERSUASIVE

to speak with conviction and emphasis using tone of voice, pace, and gestures as well as reasoning, analysis, and evidence [Correct pronunciation and knowledge of the topic is necessary for a persuasive argument to be convincing.]

PLAN*

the steps given by the affirmative team to implement the resolution and give justification for the plan

PLANK

each separate step of a plan

PREPARATION TIME

the time used between speeches for preparation

PRIMA FACIA CASE

has first appearance of proving a fact [The affirmative has a prima facia burden in the First Affirmative Constructive to demonstrate:

1. topicality (meet resolution)
2. significant harm (need to change)
3. the harm is inherent within the status quo
4. the plan will solve the harm
5. present a plan

PROJECTION

the ability to make your voice heard clearly and distinctly at a distance [Also, the ability to project feelings and emotions in your voice.]

REASONING

the higher level thinking skill of synthesis used to identify main points, support each with evidence, explain relationships, and draw conclusions

REBUTTAL SPEECH*

the speech given following the constructive speeches [The debater refutes the arguments of the other team. The rebuttal speech may also be used to clarify, answer the other team’s refutations, to summarize arguments, and persuade to own point of view.]

REFUTATION

identify and counter opponents’ arguments and conclusions with reasoning and evidence

REFUTE

reasoning and evidence given by one side in a debate to oppose the opponents’ arguments and conclusions

RESOLUTION*

the formal statement of the issue to be debated

SIGNIFICANT

the impact, importance, or scope of an issue or a part of the issue

SOLVENCY

the term meaning the problem can be solved [Affirmative reasons that problems identified can be solved with the affirmative plan; negative reasons that problems are being solved by the status quo and that the affirmative plan will bring harm rather than solvency.]

STATUS QUO*

the present system, the existing order [The status quo is that which would be changed by adopting the affirmative plan.]

TONE

the quality of voice that includes pitch and clarity of words

TOPICALITY

the state of conformity to the intent of the resolution

[A case is topical if it justified the full intent of the resolution. A plan is topical if the needs are solved or the comparative advantages are gained as a direct result of those planks in the plan that implement the resolution.]