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Debate lingo replacement chart

 

Read the post on why it’s important not to use debate lingo in debate rounds.

Inherency – How things are, current system, etc.
Solvency – Whether they solve the problem, effective solution
Topicality – Whether the affirmative team is on topic
Significance – This is self-explanatory enough
Stock issues – Just don’t say this, or use stock issues as a framework unless the judge asks for it
Disadvantage – Negative consequence, BAD THING, negative result, negative outcome
Link – Just explain the disadvantage conversationally. EG. “The plan causes this negative result because….”
Brink – “Here’s why it wouldn’t happen without the affirmative plan”
Impact – “This is why it matters” “This is the main negative effect”
Flow – Notes
Podium – It’s actually a lectern, get it right
Point/Argument – This is actually a decent word to use for it, I’d leave it as is. (Also use the word response)
Subpoint – If you use subpoints, make sure you go slowly and make it very clear and organized.
A priori – This is a word you can use if you explain it, since it makes you look smart and you won’t use it often.
Piece of evidence – Evidence/Quote (Piece of evidence sounds weird)
1AC – First speech
1NC-2AR – Don’t mention these speeches by name, maybe say “in [insert name]’s last/first speech”
Kritik – Don’t mention this argument by name, just use it as a regular point and explain why it matters
Extend – I’d like to bring this argument back, discuss this argument again, remind you of this argument
Resolution – Our topic for this year
CX – Cross-examination as a concept is fairly widely recognized
Case – Idea, plan, proposal
Plan – Solution, proposal
Mandate – Course of action
Harms – Problems
Advantages – This word is pretty much fine to use, although you could say benefits or another synonym
Negative team – This term is fine but you can refer to them as “our opponents” as well
Affirmative team – This term is fine but you can refer to them as “our opponents” as well
Constructives – Explain to the judge that the first four speeches are “constructive” speeches in which arguments are started
Rebuttals – Explain to the judge that the last four speeches are for rebutting arguments, not creating new ones
Spike – Preempt an argument
Criterion – Awful word. Say something like “the goal for this round”. But usually avoid criteria anyway.
Judging philosophy – Past experience, expectations for the round, background knowledge
Prep time – Don’t say something stuffy like preparational time, prep time is good enough.
Tag – Don’t say tag
Non-unique – Say “this argument is not unique. What that means is….”
Dropped argument – This argument was not addressed by [x] in [x] speech.
Voting issue – The most important points that the round boils down to, these are the main reasons to vote neg/aff
Parametrics – Just because you know this term doesn’t mean you should throw it out there. Explain it without naming it.
Status Quo – Current system (also overused). How things are right now. The current state of affairs.
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