What is Policy Debate?

Policy Debate (often referred to as CX , cross-x, cross examination debate, or two-man debate) is a debate in which two teams of two go head to head arguing their points.  One team is affirmative.  This team affirms the resolution (this years is: Resolved: That the United States federal government should substantially increase public health services for mental health care in the United States.)  They come up with a plan to fulfill the resolution and argue using evidence and logic. The Aff. must prove all of the stock issues to win the round (see stock issues below). The other team is negative.  They try to prove that the Aff's plan is not needed, won't work, causes bad things to happen, etc. They only need to win one stock issue to win the round.

Stock Issues

There are 7 stock issues and all carry hours of arguments (fun fun).

Significance: The harms presented by the affirmatives are actually a real problem, and affect the majority of us.

Harms: What is wrong with the status quo, why do we need to change things?

Inherency: What is stopping the affirmative plan from happening?

Topicality:  How does the affirmative plan fit under the topic?

Solvency: How will the affirmative plan solve for the harms

Advantages: What good will come of the affirmative plan?

Disadvantages: What bad will come out of the affirmative plan?

For more detailed information on how to run arguments on each of these issues, go to Debate Lab.

Round Structure

1^st Affirmative Constructive– 8 Minutes

Cross-Ex  – 3 Minutes:

1^st Negative Constructive – 8 minutes

Cross-Ex  – 3 minutes

2^nd Affirmative Constructive – 8 Minutes

Cross-Ex  – 3 Minutes

2^nd Negative Constructive – 8 Minutes

Cross-Ex – 3 Minutes

1^st Negative Rebuttal – 4 Minutes

1^st Affirmative Rebuttal – 4 Minutes

2^nd Negative Rebuttal – 4 Minutes

2^nd Affirmative Rebuttal – 4 Minutes

Prep Time

Prep time can be used before any speech. Prep time is sort of like a time out in which the team can further prepare for a speech.  Prep time is 5 min. per team per round.