Format Affirmative Constructive - 5 minutes Negative Constructive - 5 minutes Question Segment - 3 minutes Affirmative Rebuttal - 4 minutes Negative Rebuttal - 4 minutes

Format (cont.) Affirmative Consolidation - 3 minutes Negative Consolidation - 3 minutes Affirmative Rationale - 2 minutes Negative Rationale - 2 minutes

Differences from Other Debates Both the affirmative and the negative have the burden of proof. Negative has equal burden to prove the inverse resolution. No line-by-line debate in the final four speeches Evidence is not all-important. Analytical and logical arguments are just as important. Non-topical arguments are ground for forfeit No “burden of rejoinder” - dropping an argument does not inherently mean it is true Judges are always lay people, and judges for our tournament will act as lay people

Cases Usually, cases have an overall thesis about the resolution at the beginning Big Questions recommends a two-point case with in depth analysis Each contention must have claim, warrant, and impact

The New Speeches Consolidation Speeches: These speeches reduce the debate to its core elements. Debaters focus on their strongest arguments in the round, and there is no strict line- by-line. New evidence is allowed, but not new arguments. Rationale Speeches: Like Final Focus in Public Forum, this two minute speech summarizes the round and why you or your team has proven them. Also no line-by- line.

Teams You can debate on your own or as a partnership If you debate alone, you give every speech If you debate in a partnership, the first speaker will give the constructive, participate in the first question segment, and give the consolidation. The second speaker will give the rebuttal, participate in the second question segment, and give the rationale.

Resources For sample cases, ballots, and other additional information: https://www.speechanddebate.org/resources/?tag=big-questions