Language

Play up your arguments and lessen your opponents’ points. How you present your ideas in Summary shape how the judge views the importance and relative power of your arguments in the round. Rather than talking about facts and figures, make your rhetoric active and talk about arguments/impacts as actions that will be taken. You want the judge to feel like their vote is actually going to cause something to happen – this will make the decision more meaningful, the judge more interested and invested. You will also sound more convicted about your position.

Don’t say, “We win.” This is one of my biggest pet peeves. The round is not over. No one has won. If you think you have won, don’t tell the judge. There are still seven to nine minutes of debate after your Summary. A “we win” is premature and ill advised in the Summary speech.