Rebuttals

Rebuttals

• "You are wrong and this is why..."
• Finding fallacies in your opponent's case
• You must protect your case.
• It's NOT about slamming your opponent or drawing attention to irrelevant arguments.

Things to Remember

• Rebuttals must follow flow
• This is why flowing is really important
• Every argument must be addressed, or it's considered a "drop"
• Play defense & offense

A "Drop"

• When a debater forgets or ignores an argument and doesn't address it, thus meaning they "drop" the argument.

organization

• Do what's best for you (and your teammate, when applicable)
• Always give a "roadmap" before you begin so your judge knows your order.
• Option 1: Play O 1st, then D.
• Option 2: Play D 1st, followed with O.

What is a roadmap?

• Gives directions and order to your speech. It lets the judge know what you will address 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc...
• It doesn't count towards your time
• For example, "For a brief roadmap judge, I will first attack the 1AC and then move on to rebuild my own case.

rebuttal 1 & 2 differences:

• You are re-building your case and attacking their case. You can NOT bring up any new arguments here.
• You are giving last points to remember and giving "voters" (what the judge needs to base the round on)

Voters

• What is the criteria for judging the round? Tell the judge they need to vote on _____ because _____.
• Example 1: "...on topicality because my opponent was off topic in that he/she...
• Example 2: "...on value because my I upheld my value better than he/she because...."
• BE SPECIFIC. Don't just say "I won because of topicality" Tell us WHY you won on topicality.