Policy debate (poly, CX, or 2P) is an event with two partner teams. Each team will have a first and a second speaker, all of which will give a constructive rebuttal throughout the debate. Policy, as opposed to other events, has year-long topics, or resolutions, allowing you to get very niche into the topic as the year goes on, inspiring lots of creative freedom within the arguments.

 

This Year’s Resolution:
The United States federal government should substantially increase fiscal redistribution in the United States by adopting a federal jobs guarantee, expanding Social Security, and/or providing a basic income.

 

While this all may seem complicated at first, it’s really easy to get the hang of it. A unique aspect of policy debate is the concept of the event. In a debate, the affirmative team will create and “propose” their own policy, and the negative team will oppose it. Policy jargon tends to feel like its own language, making it a very interesting and intriguing event to compete in. There’s a lot to learn, but it’s all totally worth it. <3

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SPEAKING ORDER

1st Affirmative Constructive (1AC) -8mins

1st affirmative speaker scripted and outlines the aff’s policy

 

CrossX
2NC asks 1AC -3min

 

1st Negative Constructive (1NC) -8mins

1st negative speaker, somewhat unscripted and responds to aff’s policy

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CrossX
1AC asks 1NC -3min

 

2nd Affirmative Constructive (2AC) -8mins

2nd Affirmative Constructive, responds to neg and supports the affirmative case

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CrossX
1NC asks 2AC -3min

 

2nd Negative Constructive (2NC) -8mins

Beginning of the 13 min “neg block” and counters aff’s case, usually takes 60% of neg arguments.

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CrossX
2AC asks 2NC -3min

 

1NC Rebuttal (1NR) -5mins

First rebuttal (meaning no new points) supports the rest of the neg arguments.

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1AC Rebuttal (1AR) -5mins

Responds to the entire 13 min neg block

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2NC Rebuttal (2NR) -5mins

Weighs to the judge why neg should win, crystallizes and recaps points

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2AC Rebuttal (2AR) -5mins

​Weighs to the judge why aff should win, crystallizes and recaps points