How to Flow And why you should do it – always, all the time, in every round

Necessary supplies

Necessary Supplies

FAQ: But Why Can’t I Flow On My Laptop?  Because you’re probably paperless – and you can’t flow and prep a speech on your laptop at the same time  Because it limits the amount of a flow you can see at one time  Because you can’t spread out laptop flows to look at the whole round at once

FAQ: What should my flows look like?

FAQ: What if I’m Lefty? Some lefty’s flow normal… …but some choose to flow right to left

Why?  If you flow normally as a lefty, you cover up what has already happened in a debate as you move from speech to speech

Cons  It’s annoying for your 2N if they don’t do it as well  It may be easier to plan space for your rebuttal if you flow normal instead of goofy.  It can be confusing if you are inconsistent

Puppy Break

Sloth Break

Why is this line there?

Why isn’t it here?  Why don’t these 2AC arguments have a line under them? The arguments were: No internal link – link ev isn’t reverse causal Welfare negates the benefits of reform The internal link ev is about portions of immigration reform that won’t pass regardless (this was a reference from a cx)

See the line?  Why is there a line to the left of “env not destructable” and “no extinction from env collapse”  NOTE: remember that this is our “goofy” flow - the 2AC is to the LEFT of the 1NC

What are your questions about flowing?

Fun Fact: debaters flip paper vertical, not horizontal How to flip a flow How to turn pages in a book

The Greatest Flowing Advice You’ll Ever Receive (AKA The “Alwayses of Flowing”)  Always always always flow  Always always always save your flows  Always take notes on judge decisions (I prefer to type mine, so I can easily find them when that person judges me again)  Always flow every speech  Always flow your partners speeches  Always have extra pens and oodles of paper

The Nevers of Flowing  There’s one big one: Never give up and stop flowing – no excuses

Advanced Flowing Tips You know how to flow – what should you do in round? Please note – a lot of this is things to make you more efficient. Novices should just always flow and worry about adding extras in later.

During the 1AC Aff  1AC is speaking  1As should probably preflow the 1AC  As a 2A, I liked to write down just the authors of the 1AC as a visual cue Neg

During the 1NC Aff  2A can flow and prep during off case. As soon as the 1N gets to the case debate, you should ONLY be flowing – dropping case args can be devastating.  1A flows Neg  1N should be speaking. 2N should already know what the off case position cards say (here’s another place where flowing authors/questions can help for your next speech) and may start working on the 2NC (while also flowing).  2N should backflow for 1N

During the 2AC Aff  1A – should be flowing. A detailed 2AC flow is really helpful. Should also backflow – flow the 2AC for the 2A  2A should be speaking. Neg  1N – should be flowing all of the positions. Take extra note of theory arguments – if the 2n doesn’t answer these, that makes it your job.  2N – should be flowing and preparing the 2NC. Pay extra attention to positions you’re taking.

During the Negative Block 1A  Has some options  1: flow everything  2: “shadow flow” – write down your answers as the neg speakers are giving their speeches – this saves prep and helps you group the debate, but it takes practice  3: I’m not sure, there are probably other ways people do it. 2A  Should be flowing. During the 2nc, think about your cross-x. But mostly flow.

During the Negative Block 2N  During the 2NC, give your speech.  During the 1NR, flow the 1NR. It’s hard to give a 2NR on what the 1NR says if you don’t know what that is 1N  During the 2NC, DON’T flow the 2NC!  WHAT?  1Ns should never flow the block. Focus on prepping the sickest speech you’ve ever given because you’ve got oodles of prep time – just remember to keep an ear out for if the 2N drops an important argument they were supposed to take(IE Condo)

During the 1AR Aff  1A is speaking  2A is flowing Neg  1N is flowing  2N is flowing and prepping for the 2NR. The 1AR often shapes 2NR strategic choices by where they use trickery and good strategy and where they make mistakes, so its important to know what the 1AR said.

During the 2NR Aff  1A is flowing  2A is flowing, but also prepping the 2AR, but flowing. You should be thinking about what you need to win to win the debate, and what they need to win to do the same. Neg  1N is FLOWING. 1Ns who clock out after the 1NR are slackers. Flow. Every. Speech. (see the Alwayses)  2N is speaking.

During the 2Ar  The 2A is speaking  Everyone else is FLOWING. If you don’t flow, you’re obnoxious. If you don’t flow and then fight with a judge or tell your coach you shouldn’t have lost you are extra obnoxious. ALWAYS flow. NEVER stop flowing. Flowing is great.  Especially 1As – look out for 2AR uh-ohs!

WE LOVE FLOWING!!!

Refutation She was like “yeah” and then I was like “no way”

Why Refutation?  “Two ships passing in the night”

Refutation Part 1: EAR  Starting here because you have all learned the acronym  Extend  Answer  Read more evidence

Beyond Simple Refutation  This was my flow of the case turn to internet freedom  I grouped the argument  I made two analytical answers on my flow  Read a card  Made two more analytical answers on the fly

Why so many arguments? The 2NC/1NR rule: twice as many cards as the 2AC, at least 2-3 answers per argument The 2AC rule: As many arguments as you need to get the job done

The ideal 2NC/1NR  Recall the rule  Here is what following the rule should look like

Answering Arguments Includes  Making smart answers  Reading new cards that are responsive  Using warrants from evidence you have already read

But Wait, There’s more!  You need to decide WHERE to read cards and HOW MANY and how many arguments to make against each other argument

Refuting in Order  You should answer arguments “line-by- line”  “They say no nuclear terror, but terrorists have the means and motive for a nuclear attack and only metadata has been shown to stop them – that’s 1NC Young”

Why signal where you are?  Keeps the debate organized  Allows the judge to follow your arguments  Helps you win!

Good Refutation v Bad Refutation: They say “metadata not key to fight terror” Bad Refutation  “Metadata is key to fight terror” #NewCard Good Refutation  They say “metadata not key” but it has been integral in stopping more than 50 attacks including a major planned bombing of the NYSE – that’s Young  Then read another “metadata is key card”  Then indict the 2AC card Why is the “Good” example good/better?

Questions?