PF Jargon for Beginners

Public Forum Debate, or PF, is a two-on-two debate format that focuses on persuasive argumentation about current events and public policy. Here's the basic vocab you need to know to understand and debate any round.

General Terms

• Resolution – The statement or policy being debated, which changes every two months.

• Pro – The side that supports the resolution.

• Con – The side that opposes the resolution.

• First Speaker – The debater in a team who reads constructive, summary, and participates in 1st and grand crossfire.

• Second Speaker – The debater in a team who reads rebuttal, final focus, and participates in 2nd and grand crossfire.

• Flip (Coin Flip) – A method used before the round to determine which team gets to choose their side (Pro/Con) or speaking order.

• Framework – A structure that debaters use to evaluate the round, explaining how judges should weigh arguments.

Speech Structure & Timings

• Constructive (4 min each) – The first set of speeches where teams present their prepared cases. The first speaker reads this.

• 1st Rebuttal (3 min) – A back-and-forth questioning period between first speakers after the Constructive and Rebuttal speeches.

• Rebuttal (4 min each) – The second set of speeches where teams refute their opponent's arguments. The second speaker reads this.

• 2nd Rebuttal (3 min) – A back-and-forth questioning period between second speakers after the Constructive and Rebuttal speeches.

• Summary (3 min each) – The third set of speeches where teams collapse arguments, weigh impacts, and extend key points.

• Final Focus (2 min each) – The final speeches, focusing on why the team should win the round.

• Grand Crossfire (3 min) – A period where all four debaters interact and ask questions.

• Prep (3 min each) – Both teams are allowed 3 minutes of time within the round to prep and discuss in between speeches. You are allowed to prep during your opponent's prep time as well.

Argumentation & Strategy

• Case – The pre-prepared arguments that teams present in their Constructive speech.

• Contention – A major argument within a case, typically supported by subpoints.

• Warrant – The reasoning that explains why an argument is true.

• Impact – The significance or consequence of an argument (e.g., economic collapse, loss of lives).

• Weighing – Comparing impacts to show why one is more important (e.g., probability, magnitude, timeframe).

• Turn – A response that flips an opponent’s argument in a way that supports your side.

• Link – The logical connection between evidence and an impact.

• Terminal Defense – An argument that completely takes out an opponent’s point, making it irrelevant.

• Collapse – The strategy of focusing on fewer, stronger arguments in later speeches.

Flow & Judge Adaptation

• Flowing – The method of taking structured notes during a debate to track arguments and responses.

• Dropped Argument – An argument that was not responded to, which can be extended as a major point.

• Extensions – Carrying an argument across speeches to keep it in the round.

• Judge Paradigm – A judge’s philosophy on how they evaluate rounds (e.g., traditional, tech, lay).

• Tech vs. Truth – A debate philosophy where "tech" prioritizes technical skills like speed and evidence, while "truth" values logical arguments and real-world reasoning.

Evidence & Theory

• Card – A piece of evidence, usually from an article, used to support an argument.

• Cutting Cards – The process of selecting and formatting evidence for use in a round.

• Paraphrasing – Summarizing evidence instead of quoting it directly.

• Frontlining – Preemptively responding to anticipated attacks in a rebuttal speech.

• Shell – The structure of a theory argument, including interpretation, violation, standards, and voting issue.

• Voting Issues (Voters) – The most important arguments that the judge should consider when deciding the round.