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Overview:
Overview:
Policy Debate, sometimes referred to as cross-examination or CX debate, is a two-person team event that asks students to debate a single resolution for the entire school year. Each team is assigned before the round to either affirm or negate the resolution. On the affirmative, students will prove the resolution true by proposing a policy to implement and presenting its advantages. On the negative, students will respond by pointing out the disadvantages of the affirmative team's policy proposal. Perhaps the most evidence-intensive event, debates will focus on the intricacies of policy details and the research presented. Judges are asked to completely set aside their biases and focus on the issues presented in the debate round exclusively. In order for the affirmative to win, the judge must conclude that the policy presented is a good idea that would improve the status quo. In order for the negative to win, the judge must conclude that the policy presented would not improve the status quo. As judge, you will choose a winner and assign speaker points.
Policy Debate - How to Judge.mp4How to Judge Policy Debate
How to Judge Policy Debate
Foundational Resources:
Foundational Resources:
Speaker Points Guide - Please keep most speaker points in the range of 26-30. Giving 25 points indicates that an individual debater was rude or made insulting comments. Please explain, in writing on the ballot, what merited the low points.
Foundational Concepts:
Foundational Concepts:
policy round.mp4Example Round
Example Round
National Specch & Debate Association
2024 National Finals
What is your Paradigm?
What is your Paradigm?
Debaters will often ask this question of judges so that they can better understand what a judge's expectations are for the round. A paradigm, in debate, is a statement about your beliefs and predispositions regarding the debate round. Many highly-qualified judges have lengthy and complex paradigms that debaters study prior to the debate round and use this information to adjust their speaking style and argumentation choices to match what the judge prefers. If you are new to judging, it is preferred that you share this with debaters either in an oral comment, if asked, or online by creating a paradigm on Tabroom. Those new to judging often give debaters helpful information like these items:
"This is the first time that I've judged this event."
"I'm a volunteer and I've read over some information about this topic and watched a demo video, but I'm new to judging."
"Please keep your delivery slow and clear. I appreciate clear analysis of why you should win in the final focus."
It can be very educational to read the paradigms of other debate judge who have posted a paradigm on Tabroom. After you've judged a few rounds and begun to develop your own viewpoint, you should post your paradigm as well. It is most important that your paradigm gives an equal chance for both Pro and Con to win, and is focused on creating an educational focus for all debaters.
Current Topic:
Current Topic:
The topic for Policy Debate changes yearly. Check the National Speech & Debate Association Current Topics page to confirm the exact wording you will see debated.
Tips for Judging
Tips for Judging
Debate Timer Pro
Grab this app to help you track speech and prep time
Time Signals
Time Signals
Many speakers will ask for you to give them a time signal countdown as their 8 minutes elapses. Many ask for "5 down" or "3 down" and "a fist at grace." The best technique is to set your phone timer (or one of the timers shown below) to count down from 7. Time begins when they speak the first word. You hold up fingers for the time remaining. (as pictured in the video) and make a fist at zero. At 0 minutes remaining the speaker has 30 seconds to finish. It is wise to consult with the tournament or check your ballot about rules regarding time.
Fingers Countdown.mp4Page updated
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