First Off

Policy Debate itself is considered a research based speech competition where opposing teams argue the value of implementing a proposed policy option. The Structure is relatively simple two teams of two people compete one as the affirmative side and one as the negative side. The affirmative team is charged with proposing a policy option that stems from the overarching topic for each year. The negative is charged with proving why said policy option should be rejected either because of the theoretical implementations of passing the affirmatives policy or because the proposed plan of the affirmative destroys debate as an activity its self. But more on that later, the structure of each round i placed within a set time limit giving each team equal time to make there case.

The Structure is as follows:

1 Affirmative Constructive(9 min): This is where the plan based on the years resolution is proposed along with enumerated reasons as to why the plan is a good idea.
1 Negative Constructive(9 min): This is the introduction of the negative case with a variety of argumentation as to why the affirmatives plan will cause more harm then good as well as the issue of Topicality which I will explain in a separate section.
2 Affirmative Constructive(9 min): This is the first issue of real clash within the debate where the affirmative team attempts to refute those arguments presented by the negative. It is also the last chance the affirmative has to add any new reason as to why there plan should be implemented.
2 Negative Constructive(9 min)/1 Negative Rebuttal(6 min): These two speeches create what is known as the negative block in which the negative team extends and explains there strategy in hopes to use there huge time advantage to make the affirmative undercover or miss an argument. The negative is given the block to counteract the fact that the affirmative team gets to speak both first and last.
1 Affirmative Rebuttal(6 min): this is arguably the most difficult speech in debate given that the affirmative has 6 min to answer 15 min of negative speech as well as extending the merits of the affirmative case.
2 Negative Rebuttal(6 min): this is the final speech of the negative team in which they extend finally why there case presented is the better option due to the negative impacts of the affirmatives plan.
2 Affirmative Rebuttal(6 min): This is essentially the story teller of debate this speech usually entails a revaluation of the affirmative case and the final answers to the negative case.
Cross Examination(3 min): Cross-ex as it is shortened is a key component of debate that takes place after each constructive speech where the opposing team asks pointed questions to try and poke holes in there opponents case as well as providing clarification.
Preparation Time(10 min): Each team is given exactly 10 min of preparation that can be used in between any speech and can be used to extend cross examination.

Now that I have outlined what debate is and how it functions I will now share the the purpose of this blog is to outline the comings and goings of the George Mason Debate team which I am part of. We are a relatively large squad consisting of 8 teams spread across all three divisions of debate. this may not seem large but considering the rapidly increasing travel and supply costs we are one of the largest squads in the country. As a team we have ranked top in the nation twice and have won numerous awards. Hopefully we will continue our success and i plan to use this blog as a route in which to share these successes.