What is it?
The Long Version:
A two-on-two debate that focuses on a policy question for the duration of the academic year, this format tests a student’s research, analytical, and delivery skills. Policy debate involves the proposal of a plan by the affirmative team to enact a policy, while the negative team offers reasons to reject that proposal. Throughout the debate, students have the opportunity to cross-examine one another.
Although Policy's notoriously long speaking times and year-round topics might seem daunting, they give Policy a depth of discourse and breadth of argumentation few events can claim.
TL;DR:
Policy: for the fearless, sharp-witted, and long-winded.
A two-on-two debate that focuses on a policy question for the duration of the academic year, this format tests a student’s research, analytical, and delivery skills. Policy debate involves the proposal of a plan by the affirmative team to enact a policy, while the negative team offers reasons to reject that proposal. Throughout the debate, students have the opportunity to cross-examine one another.
Although Policy's notoriously long speaking times and year-round topics might seem daunting, they give Policy a depth of discourse and breadth of argumentation few events can claim.
TL;DR:
Policy: for the fearless, sharp-witted, and long-winded.
what's the format?
Speech |
Speaker |
Time Allotted |
First Affirmative Constructive (1AC) |
AFF 1st spkr |
8 min. |
Cross-Examination (CX) |
NEG 2nd spkr asks AFF 1st spkr |
3 min. |
First Negative Constructive (1NC) |
NEG 1st spkr |
8 min. |
Cross-Examination (CX) |
AFF 1st spkr asks NEG 2nd spkr |
3 min. |
Second Affirmative Constructive (2AC) |
AFF 2nd spkr |
8 min. |
Cross-Examination (CX) |
NEG 1st spkr asks AFF 2nd spkr |
3 min. |
Second Negative Constructive (2NC) |
NEG 2nd spkr |
8 min. |
Cross-Examination (CX) |
AFF 2nd spkr asks NEG 2nd spkr |
3 min. |
First Negative Rebuttal (1NR) |
NEG 1st spkr |
5 min. |
First Affirmative Rebuttal (1AR) |
AFF 1st spkr |
5 min. |
Second Negative Rebuttal (2NR) |
NEG 2nd spkr |
5 min. |
Second Affirmative Rebuttal (2AR) |
AFF 2nd spkr |
5 min. |