Flow (policy debate)
Encyclopedia
In policy debate
, the flow is the name given to a specialized form of notetaking, which debaters use to keep track of all of the arguments in the round.
It incorporates specialized abbreviations and notations to allow debaters to keep up with the rapid speed of delivery in most speeches. Some examples of these abbreviations are DA for disadvantage and K for kritik (critique).
Flowing can be done on paper or on a laptop using a spreadsheet program such as Microsoft Excel. In collegiate debate, computers may be used in any round, however in high school this is sometimes not allowed. Those tournaments that follow the National Forensic League
regulations may or may not allow laptops depending on the district, but many so-called national circuit tournaments and some states allow the use of laptops in round. Debaters often prefer to use legal paper to be able to capture the numerous arguments read on each position. Numerous sheets of paper (or tabs in a spreadsheet) are used each round as debaters normally use one sheet for each different type of argument read.
and 2AC
, the second negative speaker
and the first affirmative speaker
will "backflow" their partner who has just given a speech. This can often be accomplished during the cross-examination or the prep time preceding the next speech. The 1NC requires backflowing because they need to flow what issues they are going to argue ('take') in the 1NR and the 2AC needs backflowing because they need a flow of these arguments so that they can carry the argument to the end of the round ('extend') during the 2AR.
The 1AC is not backflowed because most affirmative debaters are presumably already familiar with the arguments or they have flowed the arguments before or during the speech. The negative block is not backflowed because the 1NR is prepping
during the 2NC and the 1NR has no further speeches. The rest of the rebuttals are not backflowed for the same reason.
Policy debate
Policy debate is a form of speech competition in which teams of two advocate for and against a resolution that typically calls for policy change by the United States federal government or security discourse...
, the flow is the name given to a specialized form of notetaking, which debaters use to keep track of all of the arguments in the round.
It incorporates specialized abbreviations and notations to allow debaters to keep up with the rapid speed of delivery in most speeches. Some examples of these abbreviations are DA for disadvantage and K for kritik (critique).
Flowing can be done on paper or on a laptop using a spreadsheet program such as Microsoft Excel. In collegiate debate, computers may be used in any round, however in high school this is sometimes not allowed. Those tournaments that follow the National Forensic League
National Forensic League
The National Forensic League is a non-partisan, non-profit educational honor society established to encourage and motivate American high school students to participate in and become proficient in the forensic arts: debate, public speaking and interpretation. NFL is the America's oldest and largest...
regulations may or may not allow laptops depending on the district, but many so-called national circuit tournaments and some states allow the use of laptops in round. Debaters often prefer to use legal paper to be able to capture the numerous arguments read on each position. Numerous sheets of paper (or tabs in a spreadsheet) are used each round as debaters normally use one sheet for each different type of argument read.
Backflowing
After the 1NCStructure of policy debate
In all forms of policy debate the order of speeches is as follows:*First Affirmative Constructive *Cross-examination of First Affirmative by Second Negative*First Negative Constructive *Cross-examination of First Negative by First Affirmative...
and 2AC
Structure of policy debate
In all forms of policy debate the order of speeches is as follows:*First Affirmative Constructive *Cross-examination of First Affirmative by Second Negative*First Negative Constructive *Cross-examination of First Negative by First Affirmative...
, the second negative speaker
Negative (policy debate)
In policy debate, the Negative is the team which negates the resolution.The negative team speaks second and second to last. They give four speeches:*First negative constructive *Second negative constructive *First negative rebuttal...
and the first affirmative speaker
Affirmative (policy debate)
In policy debate, the affirmative is the team which affirms the resolution.The Affirmative side negates the negative.The affirmative team speaks first and last. They give four speeches:*First affirmative constructive...
will "backflow" their partner who has just given a speech. This can often be accomplished during the cross-examination or the prep time preceding the next speech. The 1NC requires backflowing because they need to flow what issues they are going to argue ('take') in the 1NR and the 2AC needs backflowing because they need a flow of these arguments so that they can carry the argument to the end of the round ('extend') during the 2AR.
The 1AC is not backflowed because most affirmative debaters are presumably already familiar with the arguments or they have flowed the arguments before or during the speech. The negative block is not backflowed because the 1NR is prepping
Preparation time
In policy debate, preparation time is the amount of time given to each team to prepare for their speeches. Prep time may be taken at any time in any interval...
during the 2NC and the 1NR has no further speeches. The rest of the rebuttals are not backflowed for the same reason.