Debate Key Terms

Proposition – a statement of the issue to be debated

Resolution – a statement of your position on the issue

Affirmative – “yes”

Negative – “no”

Premise – something that must be true in order for you to make your point; there are three types of premises: facts, policies, and values

Argument – a reason to support your side of the debate

Evidence – facts that help prove you are right

Case – the sum total of arguments per side of the debate

Brief – an outline of the affirmative and negative cases

Cross-Examination – the time during a debate when one side is questioned by the opposing side

Refute – to provide evidence that shows your opponent is wrong

Rebuttal – providing evidence that further shows you are right after your opponent has attempted to show you were wrong

Fallacy – anything you can prove is not true

Format – the rules and procedures that govern a debate

taken from source