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. |