Rebuttal (policy debate)

Policy debate
Organization
Policy debate competitions Inter-Collegiate policy debate
Format
Structure Resolution Constructive speech Rebuttal Preparation time Evidence Flow
Participants
Affirmative Negative Judge
Argument types
Stock issues Case Disadvantage Counterplan Kritik Impact calculus Topicality
Argumentative concepts
Offense Defense Turn Drop Fiat
Policy debate

In policy debate, the rebuttal speeches are the last four speeches. Unlike the constructive speeches, rebuttal speeches are not followed by a cross-examination period.

In high school, rebuttals are usually 5 minutes long (with the exception of certain states and organizations that use 4 minute rebuttals).^[1] In college debate, they are generally 6 minutes.

Rebuttal speeches must address arguments made in the constructive speeches. They generally may not propose new arguments or recover arguments dropped in a team's previous speeches.^[2] Teams breaking from this precedent are often met by claims of abuse from opponents.

See also

• Constructive speech

References