NHI Great Debate 2025 – Core Rules & Procedures

Comprehensive question-and-answer flashcards summarizing essential rules, formats, definitions, time limits, evidence standards, language requirements, tournament structure, and conduct expectations from the 2025 NHI Great Debate Rulebook.

In Cross-Examination Debate, what side supports the resolution and must present a Value and Value-Criterion?

The Affirmative team.

What is the primary role of the Opposition team in Cross-Examination?

To preserve and defend the status quo by critically examining the Affirmative’s value and value-criterion, NOT to propose an alternative solution.

How long is the Leader of the Affirmative’s Opening Statement?

3 minutes.

During a Cross-Examination round, how long does the Member of the Opposition have to question the Leader of the Affirmative?

2 minutes.

What is the maximum preparation time allotted to the Member of the Opposition before delivering their Opening Statement?

2 minutes.

How long is the Member of the Opposition’s Rebuttal and Closing?

3 minutes.

What document limits any additional procedures that are not listed in Rule 3 for CX Debate?

Rule 4 – Allowed Procedures (anything not listed is prohibited).

Define “Value” in the context of NHI Cross-Examination.

The paramount idea or philosophy grounding the Affirmative’s reasoning for change.

Define “Value-Criterion” in NHI Cross-Examination.

A necessary and sufficient standard that both achieves the value and provides a weighing mechanism for the judge.

Are new arguments allowed in Rebuttal or Rejoinder periods?

No; Rule 6 forbids new evidence or arguments that were not previously introduced (except to respond to opponents).

What does Rule 7 prohibit regarding rebuttal speeches?

The use of pre-written, prepared speeches.

During Cross-Examination periods, what may Members ask?

ONLY questions—no statements or commentary (Rule 8).

How many pages of evidence may each CX team include for the Affirmative?

Up to 10 single-sided pages.

Before competition, what must happen to every page of a CX evidence packet?

It must be reviewed, approved, and officially stamped by tournament staff (Rule 11G).

What is the penalty for fabricated evidence in CX?

It is prohibited; using fabricated evidence violates Rule 11B and may lead to penalties.

In Extemporaneous Speaking, how long do competitors have to prepare their speech after the draw?

30 minutes.

What materials may Extemp speakers bring into the competition room?

One 5" × 7" index card, writing utensils, three blank cards for Q&A, optional translation summary sheet, the rulebook, and a copy of the round’s question.

How many Extemp Resource Sheets are allowed per competitor, and what is their maximum size?

Two sheets, each 8½ × 11 inches, both sides usable.

Are prepared speeches allowed in Extemporaneous Speaking?

No; Rule 8 prohibits pre-written speeches.

What must each Extemp follow-up question be?

A single, open-ended question relevant to the round’s topic and opponent’s speech (Rule 9E).

In Extemp, what language must follow-up questions and answers be delivered in?

English (Rule 9H).

For speeches partially or wholly in Spanish, what must a competitor provide the opponent?

An English summary sufficient for the opponent to formulate a question (Rule 10C).

What constitutes plagiarism in Extemp according to Rule 12?

Using uncredited sources or pre-written content; all work must be original for that round.

In Mock Trial, what documents must each team file and have stamped at registration?

Three Evidence Packets and a one-page case briefing summary (Rule 3A).

How long is the Plaintiff’s Opening Statement in Mock Trial?

2 minutes.

What is the time limit for cross-examining the Defendant’s Witness?

3 minutes (Rule 3M).

How many total objections may each team raise in preliminary Mock Trial rounds?

A maximum of 2 objections per team (Rule 4E).

When are objections prohibited in Mock Trial proceedings?

During opening statements and closing arguments; any such objections must be submitted in writing afterward (Rule 4B).

According to Rule 8, what must support every statement of fact in Mock Trial?

Direct evidence (testimony, exhibits, stipulations, or stipulated facts).

Name the three admissible forms of evidence defined in Rules of Evidence 102.

Testimony, Exhibits, and Stipulations.

What is "relevant evidence" under Rule 201?

Evidence that makes a consequential fact more or less probable.

How many pages may a Mock Trial Evidence Packet contain?

No more than 20 single-sided pages (Rule 301B).

What happens if both the source and date lines are completed on an Evidence Packet form?

The exhibit is automatically admitted and cannot be objected to for authentication (Rule 302C).

In Oratory, what language requirement is placed on every speech?

A one-minute segment entirely in Spanish, placed in the introduction or conclusion (Rule 9A).

How long is an Oratory presentation?

4–5 minutes (Rule 6).

What follows both Oratory speeches and requires on-the-spot thinking?

A pre-prepared official Question from NHI, with 1-minute prep and 2-minute answers per speaker (Rules 11–12).

What must Orators submit at registration?

One copy of their final written speech (single-spaced, 12-pt font) and a Works Cited page if sources are used (Rule 5A).

Is singing or dancing permitted in an Oratory speech?

No; both are expressly prohibited (Rule 3B).

How is advancement to elimination rounds determined across all events?

By a High-Low average—dropping the highest and lowest round-robin scores and averaging the remaining two (Section VI).

What percentage of competitors in a category generally advance to elimination rounds?

Approximately 35% (Section VII B).

What is the primary tie-breaker if competitors share the same High-Low average?

Win/Loss ratio in the round-robin phase (Section VI C-i).

What must decide which side (Affirmative/Opposition, Plaintiff/Defendant, Speaker 1/2) a competitor takes in any round?

A coin flip (applies to round-robin, eliminations, and finals).

Under tournament rules, what happens if a competitor arrives more than 15 minutes late to a round?

They may be disqualified from that round (Section X C).

Name two behaviors that can lead to disqualification from the tournament.

Using prohibited technology for advantage, or violating NHI’s Code of Conduct (Section X B & E).

What scoring outcome does a competitor receive if disqualified from a round?

A score of 0 for that round (Section X F).

What is a "Bye Round" and how is it scored?

A round with no opponent; the competitor receives the average of their other point scores (Section V C).

Which team size competes for the Silver Cup at the Texas Great Debate?

A team of 36 competitors plus up to 6 alternates (max 42) (Terminology F).

Which team size qualifies for the Ambassador Cup?

18–24 participants (Terminology G).

What is the only permissible content for Extemp Resource Sheets inside the competition room?

None; resource sheets must be stored and not visible or used during the speech (Rule 5I-J).

During CX, what is prohibited for Members while questioning?

Sidebar comments or statements before asking a question (Rule 8).

What rule governs that CX competitors may not filibuster during answers?

Rule 10B – Timeliness in Answers (Leaders must be succinct and avoid running out the clock).

How many copies of a Mock Trial Evidence Packet must a team bring?

At least three—one for the judge, one for the opponent, and one for the team (Rule 306).

What formality must every witness complete before testifying in Mock Trial?

Take an oath or affirmation to testify truthfully, invoking the NHI Fundamentals (Rule 402).

Define a "leading question" according to the advisory note under Rule 502.

A question that suggests the desired answer, usually answerable by yes/no; not allowed on Direct.

What is the maximum number of objections allowed per team in Mock Trial elimination rounds?

Three objections per team (Rule 4E).

Are charts and graphs admissible in Mock Trial? Under which condition?

Yes, if their content is supported by evidence in testimony, exhibits, or stipulated facts (Rule 601).

In Extemp, what is the penalty for visible use of technology during preparation or speaking?

Potential disqualification for using prohibited devices (Rule 4 III & Section X E).

Who can approve amendments to tournament policies not covered in the rulebook?

The Educational Director, in consultation with NHI HQ’s Office of Education and Training (Policies Section II B).

What is required citation style for CX evidence?

MLA bibliographic style is sufficient (Rule 11C).

When must a Spanish citation be translated during Extemp?

It must be verbalized in English during the speech and appear in the written translation summary (Rule 10D).

Which event requires competitors to answer a judge’s question after both speeches?

Oratory (Question & Answer segment).

What is the purpose of the Spanish segment requirement in Oratory?

To encourage Spanish usage and help competitors build confidence speaking Spanish (Rule 9C).

In CX, how many minutes does the judge have for evaluation after all speeches?

5 minutes (Rule 3L).

What is the role of the DOJ in tournament structure?

Director of Judging—assigns judges, oversees adherence to rules, and handles rerounds or complaints.

If two teams tie on High-Low average and win-loss, what is the next tie-breaker?

Total raw score across rounds (Section VI C-ii).

What document formally defines a Mock Trial team?

Rules of Evidence 103 – a team is one attorney plus one witness pairing.

Are Witness Statements required in Mock Trial Evidence Packets?

No; Rule 304 repeals that requirement.

How must Memory aids (notes) be handled by Witnesses on the stand?

Witnesses may reference only their evidence packet; note cards are not allowed (Rule 401F).

What are competitors expected to prioritize when creating Extemp Resource Sheets?

Original content and personal analysis, rather than extensive statistics or quotations (Rule 5G).

What is the main educational purpose of Extemporaneous Speaking according to Rule 8A?

To develop structured preparation, impromptu thinking, and reliance on pre-researched knowledge.

Who may authorize former NHI alumni to judge rounds?

NHI HQ, per Terminology K-c.

What is the final opportunity for Plaintiff in Mock Trial to address the court?

The Plaintiff’s Summation (1 minute) after Defense’s Closing Argument (Rule 3S).