Mistakes to Avoid​

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• No prep time should be used before CX. (This seems obvious, but you'd be surprised by how common this is.)

• Do NOT, and I repeat, DO NOT, call your opponent by their first name. Refer to them as “the Neg”, “the Aff”, or “my opponent”. (Again, seems obvious, but is quite common).

• Using all prep time for first impromptu speech (for 1NC, 1AR, etc); split up your time effectively.

• Not recognizing when opponent makes new arguments in latter speeches and informing judge (this can be abusive).

• Tone of voice does not dictate good arguments — but delivery does make a difference.

• Not having an outline for all my speeches.

  • i.e., Order:

  • Defend my framework, Contention 1, Contention 2, Contention 3

  • Attack opponent’s framework, Contention 1, Contention 2

  • Crystallize

• Not having blocks (evidence planned out for possible arguments from other side).

  • You have written cases for both sides, so you have a good idea of what opponent will have; have evidence for all arguments you can think of for both sides.

• Not pre-flowing my flow chart before round.

• Not asking for judge paradigms before round to know whether they value value debate, contention, or both (if using Tabroom, look for info).

• Bombarding with evidence without explanation — do not just throw facts at the judge; explain why they are there and how they link.

• Not using all speech time — especially for crystallization; leave time to make your impact clear.

• Not extending your arguments — don’t just restate them in latter speeches; reshape them to show why they are the best in the round; the judge already knows the basics.

• Not linking contentions and arguments to value/criterion — ALWAYS link back to that.