Using Evidence In-Round

Always follow the rules of the NFL and your league. Defer to those rules if they differ from the advice I have provided.

If you are allowed to use a computer, use it as an accessory, not a crutch. Make sure the screen is down when you are not using the computer so it does not appear you are doing something besides debating. This also ensures you are still physically present in the judge’s view and not cut off by your computer screen.

Always have hard copies of your evidence. Do you really want to pass your opponent that nice laptop your parents bought you? Computers die or crash more often than binders of evidence catch fire. Having a hard copy also means you cannot be questioned about editing your evidence in round. You may laugh, but I have seen this happen in a round. 

Willingly give your evidence to your opponent when asked. Withholding evidence means you lose all credibility for that evidence in the round. Even if you haven’t stretched the truth or spoken falsely, you lose your credibility with the judge.

When you ask for evidence, ask for key pieces that may change the judge’s decision or appear too good to be true. You’re only going to be able to see so much of your opponent’s evidence, so make it count. Do not harp on opponents to give you evidence, rather ask for it kindly and patiently. Don’t try and use your opponent’s prep time to ask for evidence – ask during your own prep time. While you can ask for evidence in Cross-Fire, you have two options of what you can do with this evidence. You can read a relevant section aloud in CROSS-FIRE and make your opponent engage. Your other option is to read it during your prep time or during the next speech. For more advice on asking for evidence, see the chapter on Cross-Fire.

One huge mistake teams make is requesting to see evidence and then… that’s it. Nothing more is said about the evidence and the discussion continues. You need to explain to the judge why you wanted to read the evidence and what you found. Incorporate your new knowledge into your rebuttal or directly engage your opponent in Cross-Fire. This also means you must follow-up if your opponents do not provide the evidence you requested.

Thoughts on Compiling Original Evidence vs. Buying Published Briefs

In the debate world, published briefs can be both an aid and a detriment to your debating. Here’s a brief sketch of the Pros and Cons of each type of evidence. I would urge that if you use briefs, you use them in the stage of gathering a working knowledge on the topic and use your original research for case writing and in-round argumentation.