5.01 page 3 Speeches

Constructive Speeches

The constructive speeches are the teams’ first opportunity to deliver and establish their prepared arguments, also called a “case.” These speeches are typically fully scripted. The first speaker from each team will read their case, which will include evidence in support of or in opposition to the resolution depending on the side of the team in any given debate. Once the first speaker has finished, the first speaker from the second team will stand and deliver their case. Typically, no direct clash between ideas occurs at this point in the debate.

Crossfire

Following the two constructive speeches, the first speakers from each team engage in a crossfire, a three-minute period during which either speaker may ask or answer questions. The speaker from the team that speaks first has the right to ask the first question. Following the first question, the flow of questions is left up to the debaters. After answering a question, a speaker will usually interrupt their opponent’s questions to indicate that they would now like to ask a question. Both debaters participating in the crossfire position themselves facing the judge and address each other as well as the judge during the crossfire periods.

Rebuttal Speeches

After the first crossfire, the second speakers on each team deliver the rebuttal speeches; this is the first opportunity for each team to refute, or answer, the arguments made by their opponents. In this four-minute speech, the speakers are charged with disproving their opponent’s cases with their own analysis or with evidence from third-party sources. The first speaking team’s rebuttal will focus on refuting their opponent’s case; the second speaking team’s rebuttal must both refute their opponent’s case and also respond to attacks made against their own case.

Summary Speeches

Following the second crossfire, the first speakers on each team deliver their summary speeches. These speakers will attempt to summarize the main issues in the debate and continue to persuasively advocate for their position. The speakers address the judge during their summary speeches.

Grand Crossfire

Following the summary speeches, debaters participate in the grand crossfire. The grand crossfire is very similar to the other crossfires, except that all four debaters participate. The debaters address one another and the judge but generally remain seated. The grand crossfire is notorious for escalating tension, so all participants need to be mindful of decorum.

Final Focus

The last speech of the debate is the final focus, which is delivered by the second speaker. No new arguments may be made in the final focus; instead, the speaker concentrates on analyzing the arguments that have been made already and detailing for the judge why, on the merit of those arguments, their team should win the debate.