Negative Debate Terms and Tools

Negative Case

The set of arguments and evidence presented by the negative team in response to the affirmative's case

Policy Debate

A debate format where the negative responds to the affirmative's development of policy requirements

Public Forum Debate

A debate format where the negative responds to the resolution

Value Topics

Debate topics where the negative responds to assumptions and criteria

Affirmative Rebuttal

The response of the negative to the affirmative's arguments and evidence

Limited Prep

Debating with few notes, requiring quick thinking and adaptability

Direct Clash

The primary task of the negative, involving addressing the issues presented by the affirmative

Clash

The heart of the disagreement, representing the fundamental conflict between the affirmative and negative

Affirmative Right

The right of the affirmative to define and limit the problem area under the resolution

Negative Response

The requirement for the negative to provide direct responses to the area selected by the affirmative

Negative Presumption

The built-in advantage for the negative, defending the present system until proven inadequate

Burden of Rejoinder

The requirement for the negative to respond to the affirmative's indictment

Negative Bloc

A collective term for the second negative constructive speech and the first negative rebuttal speech

Division of Labor

The necessity for each speaker to select different arguments or issues to address

Negative Position

The ability of the negative to present its own arguments and weaknesses in the affirmative's case

Counterplan

A refutation strategy offered by the negative, accepting some or all of the negative case but believing the resolution is wrong

Kritik

An argument against the resolution based on ethical or philosophical objections to the wording