1. CX Hybrid File System AFFIRMATIVE

2. Before the Round 1A2A 1.Prepare the 1AC Speech. Double check that all of the 1AC is in order and that your have your plan. If you gave your plan to the other team before the round, make sure to get it back. 2.Set Your Timer for Eight Minutes “8:00” 3. Set Up a Podium. It should not be so low that you are leaning over on it. It should not be so high that the judge cannot see your face. 4. Prepare Your Workspace. Make sure you have your 1A File accessible. 5. While Preparing the 1AC and Podium, Listen to the Judge’s Paradigm, if the judge provides it. Your partner should be asking questions about it. Ask any follow questions you have. 6. Pull Out Pre-Flows of the 1AC for you and your partner. 7.Do NOT take prep time before the round. But start when the judge is ready. 8.You Are in Charge of tracking the round on this System. Once each part of the debate is done, turn to the next slide. 1.Decide On Disclosure. The other team may ask you to disclose your case, plan text, and/or advantages. If the NEG asks you to do so, ask them if they will disclose arguments that they have previously argued. If they won’t, then you should not feel obligated to do so either, but you can. 2.Research Your Opponents. Ask teammates, your coach, or friends if they know what the other team or school tends to argue. Refer to your Opponent Database for any information you or your teammates have collected about your opponents. 3.Locate Relevant 2AC Blocks. Based on your research of your opponents, make sure you know exactly where your blocks to their arguments are. 4.Ask for the Judge’s Paradigm. Check your Judge Database for info about your judge. Based on what you know about the likely arguments to be made, ask the judge relevant questions. For example, if your case is not similar to a kritik, don’t as the judge how he or she feels about critical affirmatives. Listen to your opponents’ questions to determine whether they are likely to run a particular position. The Forensics Files ©

3. 1AC 1A2A 1.Start the Timer & then Read the 1AC. 2.Make Sure that You Present Well. Your presentation will affect your speaker points, which frequently determine whether or not you will advance to the elimination rounds. 3.Make Frequent Eye Contact with the Judge. 4.Do Not Go So Fast that the Judge Loses You. Start slowly and then build up speed, if your judge is not opposed to spreading. If your judge is opposed to spreading, read your case at a conversational pace. 1.Follow your Preflow. Double check with the 1AC in your 2A File that your partner is reading the case in order, and that your partner has read the plan text. 2.Watch the Judge’s Reaction to Your Partner. If the judge looks like he or she cannot follow your partner, take note of this, slow down in your speech so that do a good job of clearly explaining your position. 3.Watch the Other Team’s Reaction to Your Partner. If your partner starts to read a card in the case, and the other team pays particular attention to it, or starts pulling out different files in response, then you might be able to pick up clues about what they might argue against in your case. The Forensics Files ©

4. CX of 1A 1A2A 1.Right after the 1AC, Set AND Start the timer for three minutes (3:00). 2.Give direct answers to the questions you’re asked. Being shifty will only make you look less credible with the judge, and that will hurt your speaker points. 3.Don’t Shy Away from Tough Questions. If the other team asks you a straight forward question that might reflect poorly on your case, answer the question directly and confidently. Don’t say, “I don’t know what you mean” or “Can you rephrase the question?” unless you really don’t know what you are being asked. 4.Stick in There & Keep Your Cool. If you have studied your case and have read and re-read the 1AC Explanation in the 1A File, have confidence in yourself and your answers. Don’t let the other team anger or discourage you with their CX techniques! 1.Do NOT Take Over Your Partner’s CX. Let your partner answer the questions. Answering for your partner will not only hurt your partner’s credibility and speaker points, it will hurt yours as well. If your partner answers a question incorrectly, don’t worry about correcting it unless it is highly likely to cost you the round. Otherwise, it is not worth correcting. 2.Notice the Questions Being Asked. If the other team keeps asking about a particular aspect of your case, it is likely they are going to attack that part. For example, if the other team asks, “Does your plan spend any money?” locate your disadvantage blocks because they are likely to run an economy disadvantage. If they ask, “Doesn’t your plan endorse capitalism?” locate your blocks to kritiks to have ready. The Forensics Files ©

5. Prep Time Before 1NC Prep Time Before the 1NC 1A2A Relax and Get Your Bearings, but Stay Focused. You just finished the large majority of what you will do during the debate. However, the toughest parts are yet to come. Drink some water, if you need it, and organize your workspace so that you can assist the 2A’s preparation for the 2AC during the 1NC and the prep time before the 2AC. Ensure that you have the easiest possible access to all your blocks in your 2A File. The Forensics Files ©

6. 1NC 1A2A 1.Flow. Flow off-case positions separately, and on- case arguments, if any, next to the corresponding parts of your case. 2.Flow EVERYTHING. Do not stop flowing the 1NC. Your partner might decide to not keep a complete flow so that he or she can prepare for the 2AC. 3.Assist the 2A. If your partner asks for help, provide it so that your partner can concentrate on preparing for the 2AC. But don’t lose track of your flow. 4.Before the 1NC ends, pull out your list of CX Questions of the 1NC from your 1A File. 1. Flow. Flow off-case positions separately, and on- case arguments next to the corresponding parts of your case. 2. Flow JUST ENOUGH. Flow just enough so that you know the gist of the 1NC’s argument. 3. Pull Blocks. Once you have identified the type of position and main points, quickly pull your block for that position or case argument. If you cannot identify them, wait for your partner to cross-examine the 1N and then pull out your block. 4. Pre-Flow Your Responses for Arguments You Don’t Have Blocks For. Hopefully, this will be only some case arguments. But if you hear a position you have not heard before, make sure you understand the position fully and then start writing responses. If you don’t fully understand the position, immediately retrieve the cards the 1N is reading after the 1N has read them and read them over yourself. If you still don’t understand, have your partner ask your questions in CX. The Forensics Files ©

7. CX of 1N CX of 1NC 1A2A 1.Check With Your Partner to See if Your Partner Has Any Questions You Should Ask. 2.If not, start asking your own questions from your list of CX Questions of the 1NC. 1.Asks Questions You May Have. If the rules don’t permit that, have your partner ask. DON’T TAKE OVER CX. 2.Continue to prepare for the 2AC. Pull Your 2AC Blocks from your 2A File and write answers for arguments you don’t have blocks for. 3. Listen to the CX. This involves multitasking. Don’t shut out the CX entirely, otherwise you may miss important information that can negatively affect your speech. 4. Organize According to PRIORTY. If you have enough time, organize your flow and blocks: a. For each flow, make sure you pull your blocks. Separate your blocks by inserting your flow sheet for that position behind your block. For example, put your topicality flow sheet behind your topicality block, DA flow behind your DA block, etc. b. Prioritize As Follows: Topicality, Case Arguments, Disads, Kritiks, then Counterplans. If you don’t prioritize, THIS SYSTEM WILL NOT WORK. The Forensics Files ©

8. Prep Time Before the 2AC 1A2A 1.Help the 2A. Continue to assist your partner as he or she needs. 1.Continue to prepare for the 2AC. Pull Your Blocks and Write Answers for Positions and Arguments You Do Not Have Blocks For. 2. Continue Organizing Your Speech According to Priority. If you have enough time, organize your flow and blocks: a. For each flow, make sure you pull your blocks. Separate your blocks by inserting your flow sheet for that position behind your block. For example, put your topicality flow sheet behind your topicality block, DA flow behind your DA block, etc. b. Prioritize: Topicality, Case Arguments, Disads, Kritiks, then Counterplans. If you don’t prioritize, THIS SYSTEM WILL NOT WORK. The Forensics Files ©

9. 2AC 1A2A 1.Flow EVERYTHING. Listen to your partner’s speech and flow to the best of your ability. 1.Tell the judge you are done using prep time. Set the timer for 8:00 and Ask if everyone is ready for the roadmap. 2.Give the roadmap. This means giving the order of the positions that you will address. Most judges won’t take this time out of prep time as a courtesy; so don’t abuse this privilege by continuing to prepare your speech. 3.Ask if everyone is ready, and then Start Reading the 2AC and Start the Timer. 4.Make Sure that You Present Well. Your presentation will affect your speaker points, which frequently determine whether or not your team will advance to the elimination rounds. 5.Make Frequent Eye Contact with the Judge. 6.Do Not Go So Fast that the Judge Loses You. Start slowly and then build up speed, if your judge is not opposed to spreading. 7.SIGNPOST: When you are done answering one position, inform the judge that you are moving onto the next one. The Forensics Files ©

10. CX of 2A 1A2A 1.Start back-flowing for your partner. Make sure that your partner has an accurate copy of the flow of all of the positions including the arguments made in the 2AC. Pick one or two positions and start filling in the flow for your partner. If your partner used his or her flows for the 2AC, make sure you get them back at the START of the CX of the 2A. 2.Pay attention to CX. The questions the 1N asks your partner may indicate the positions that the 2NC will address, the ones the 1NR will address, and ones the negative does not plan to address again. 1.Right after the 2AC, Start the timer for three minutes (3:00). 2.Give direct answers to the questions you’re asked. Being shifty will only make you look less credible with the judge, and that will hurt your speaker points. 3.Don’t Shy Away from Tough Questions. If the other team asks you a straight forward question that might reflect poorly on your arguments, answer the question directly and confidently. Don’t say, “I don’t know what you mean” or “Can you rephrase the question?” unless you really don’t know what you are being asked. 4.Stick in There & Keep Your Cool. If you have studied your case, have read and reread the case Explanation, and are familiar with it and the neg’s arguments, have confidence in yourself and your answers. Don’t let the other team anger, confuse, or discourage you with their CX techniques. The Forensics Files ©

11. Prep Time Before 2NC 1A2A 1.Backflow for your partner. Make sure that your partner has an accurate copy of the flow of all of the positions including the arguments made in the 2AC. 2.Get the 2AC Blocks Back from the 2NC. Before the 2N starts the 2NC, ask for the 2AC blocks back for the positions that the 2NC will cover in the 2NC. You should generally ask the 2N right after the 2N indicates that he or she is done with prep time. 1. Backflow for yourself. Divide up your flows and backflow based on the flows the 1A took of your speech. The goal is to make sure that you have an accurate copy of the flow of all of the positions including the arguments you made in the 2AC. The Forensics Files ©

12. 2NC 1A2A 1.Get the 2AC Blocks Back from the 2NC. Before the 2N starts the 2NC, ask for the 2AC blocks back for the positions that the 2NC will cover in the 2NC. The 2N should give a roadmap of the positions 2.Flow the 2NC, but don’t be confused by a 2NC overview. It is likely that the 2N will put an “overview” on a position. This is usually a general explanation of the position that the 1NC read and usually just extends the 1NC position. None of these arguments are necessarily responsive to the arguments the 2A made. Pay attention to when the 2N moves from the overview to the “line-by-line.” Then,... 3.Watch for Drops. If the 2N expressly and clearly responds to your argument, flow his arguments next to the 2AC’s arguments. If the 2N does not respond to an argument, circle it on either your flow or your 2AC block. 1.Make sure the 1A gets all of the 2AC blocks that you used when you gave your speech. 2.Flow the 2NC. 3.Watch for Drops. Get your blocks to where you and your partner can both see them for the position that the 2N is addressing. Put them in the order that the 2N will address. If the 2N expressly and clearly responds to your argument, flow those arguments next to yours. If the 2N does not respond to an argument, circle it on either your flow or your 2AC block. The Forensics Files ©

13. CX of 2N 1A2A 1.Let Your Partner Know If You NEED the 2N to Answer Any Questions You Have. If they are not necessary, do not waste your time with them 2.Pay some, but little, attention to CX. Pay attention for concessions and explanations of positions you do not quite understand. 3.Use this time to prepare. This is “free prep time” to prepare your responses to the 2NC arguments. If you do not prepare, you are wasting precious time that you should be using to prepare your speech! 4.Prepare. First, take the 2AC blocks for the position that the 2N just addressed, and pull out your 1AR blocks from your 1A File for those positions. Second, circle the numbers on the 1AR blocks that you circled on the 2AC blocks. Third, put those positions in order of PRIORITY: (1) Topicality; (2) Case; (3) Disadvantages; (4) Kritiks; (5) Counterplans. If you do not put these in this PRIORITY order, this System won’t work! 1.Whatever you do, do NOT point out the arguments that the 2NC dropped on the positions the 2N took. This will NOT make you look smart, but rather the opposite. If you point out the arguments the 2N dropped, the 1NR can stand right up and answer them. If you do not point them out, the other team may not even notice, and you may be able to win on those drops alone! 2.Check With Your Partner to See if Your Partner Has Any Questions You Should Ask. 3.If not, start asking your own questions from your CX Questions for the 2NC, which is located in your 2A File. The Forensics Files ©

14. Prep Time Before 1NR 1A2A Rarely will the 1NR take prep time because the 1NR has had at least fifteen (14) minutes to prepare for the 1NR: the 3 minutes after the 2AC, the 8 minutes of the 2NC, the 3 minutes of CX after the 2NC, and any prep time the 2N took. If the 1NR takes prep time, continue to Prepare your 1AR. (First, take the 2AC blocks for the position that the 2N just addressed, and pull out your 1AR blocks for those positions. Second, circle the numbers on the 1AR blocks that you circled on the 2AC blocks. Third, put those positions in order of priority: (1) Topicality; (2) Case; (3) Disadvantages; (4) Kritiks; (5) Counterplans.) If the 1NR Takes prep time, point out to your partner if, during the CX of the 2NC, the 2N: (1)Conceded or “Kicked” a Position (2)Ran a New Off-Case Position (3)Read any new on-case arguments If the 2N ran a new off-case position, then locate the appropriate 2AC blocks for those positions for the 1A and give them to the 1A. Assist the 1A However Possible. If the 1A needs a pen, find the 1A a pen. If the 2A needs water, try to see if you can find a bottle of water. Do not fight with your partner about this, your partner will be assisting you throughout the debate and the tournament, so do the same for your partner! The Forensics Files ©

15. 1NR 1A2A 1.Get the 2AC Blocks Back from the 1N. Before the 1N starts the 1NR, ask for the 2AC blocks back for the positions that the 1N will cover in the 1NR. Do this before the 1N starts the 1NR. 2.Flow the 1NR, but don’t be confused by any overviews. It is likely that the 1NR will put an “overview” on a position. This is usually a general explanation of the position that the 1NC read and usually just extends the 1NC position. None of these arguments are necessarily responsive to the arguments the 2A made. Pay attention to when the 1N moves from the overview to the “line-by-line.” Then,... 3.Watch for Drops. If the 1N expressly and clearly responds to your argument, flow those arguments next to the 2AC argument. If the 1N does not respond to an argument, circle it on either your flow or your 2AC block. 1.Make sure the 1A gets all of the 2AC blocks that you used when you gave your speech. 2.Flow the 1NR. 3.Watch for Drops. Get your blocks to where you and your partner can both see them for the positions that the 1N is addressing. Put them in the order that the 1N will address. If the 1N expressly and clearly responds to your argument, flow those arguments next to yours. If the 1N does not respond to an argument, circle it on either your flow or your 2AC block. The Forensics Files ©

16. Prep Time Before 1AR 1A2A 1.If Necessary, Finish Preparing Your Arguments in Response to the 2NC. First, take the 2AC blocks for the position that the 2N addressed, and pull out your 1AR blocks for those positions. Second, circle the numbers on the 1AR blocks that you circled on the 2AC blocks. 2.Prepare Your Arguments for the Positions the 1NR Addressed. Take the 2AC blocks for the positions the 1N just addressed, and pull out your 1AR blocks for those positions. Second, circle the same numbers on the 1AR blocks that you circled on the 2AC blocks. 3. Organize According to Priority. Put all of the positions in order of priority: (1) Topicality; (2) Case; (3) Disadvantages; (4) Kritiks (5) Counterplans 4. Do NOT address arguments the other team (1) Did not Address or (2) Conceded or “Kicked” 1. Continue Assisting the 1A However Possible. If the 1A needs a pen, find the 1A a pen. If the 2A needs water, try to see if you can find a bottle of water. Do not fight with your partner about this, your partner will be assisting you throughout the debate and the tournament, so do the same for your partner! The Forensics Files ©

17. 1AR 1A2A 1. Give your Roadmap. Make sure your flows are in order of PRIORITY (Topicality, Case, Disadvantages, Kritiks, Counterplans), and tell the judge what order you will address the positions in. 2. Set Your Timer for five minutes (5:00) & Start it. 3. Read your 1AR Blocks. For the arguments you circled, remember to point out to the judge that the other team dropped it and that the judge should presume it is true. 4. Present Well. Don’t forget all of the tips for giving a good speech previously mentioned. Eye-contact, speaking clearly, etc. This is your last chance to make a good impression on the judge! 1. Flow the 1AR. Make sure you get down all of the arguments the 1AR is making. This will be essential to giving a good 2AR. The Forensics Files ©

18. Prep Time Before 2NR 1A2A You’re Not Done Yet! Assist the 2A in whatever way you can. Be prepared to flow the 2NR. Stay focused. The 2NR will usually take some prep time. Make sure to organize your work area so that you can easily prepare for your last speech. The Forensics Files ©

19. 2NR 1A2A 1.Flow the 2NR. This is to make sure that the 2AR responds to all of the important arguments. 2.Pay attention to the judge and his or her reactions to the arguments the 2NR makes. If the judge is giving positive reactions to certain arguments and negative reactions to others, let your partner know so that he or she can use that to his or her advantage in the 2AR. 3.Assist your partner however you can. 1.Flow the 2NR. This will be necessary to give a good 2AR. 2. Pay attention to what the 2NR “goes for.” Most of the time, the 2NR will not address more than 2 positions. The 2NR will frequently concede or “kick” positions. Make sure that you note which positions are conceded/kicked. You will almost never need to address these in the 2NR. 3. Watch for drops. Take your 2AR blocks that your partner used and CIRCLE the arguments the 2NR does not expressly address. 4. Prepare for the 2AR. This means locating the 2AR Blocks for the case extension and the position(s) that the 2N “goes for” or is extending into the 2NR. Don’t waste your time with arguments the 2N kicks. The Forensics Files ©

20. Prep Time Before 2AR 1A2A 1. Continue to assist your partner however you can. 1.Prepare for the 2AR. What you will need to read for the 2AR will depend on the positions that the 2NR “went for” or addressed in the 2NR. 2.Overview. There are generally four possibilities for the 2NR: (1) A 2NR on Topicality Only; (2) A 2NR on Policy Arguments Only: (Counterplans, Disadvantages, Case Arguments); (3) A 2NR on a Kritik Only: (Kritiks and Case); (4) A Combo 2NR. -For each possibility, there is a special 2AR “overview.” 3.2AR Blocks. First, pull the 2AR blocks for the positions that the 2NR went for. Second, circle the same numbers on the 2AR blocks that are circled on the 1AR blocks and the 2AC blocks. Third, put the blocks in priority order: Topicality; Case; Disads; Kritiks; then Counterplans. The Forensics Files ©

21. 2AR 1A2A 1. Flow the 2AR. This is to make sure that your partner does not drop any important arguments that the 2N made. 2. Continue to assist your partner however you can. 1. Tell the judge when you are done using your prep time. You should use all your prep time only if you need it. 2. Make sure all of your blocks are in order of priority that is relevant to what the 2NR went for: (1) Topicality, if any; (2) Case (Always); (3) Disads, if any; (4) Kritiks, if any; and (5) Counterplans, if any. 3. Give the judge your roadmap – the order in which you will address each position. 4. Set your timer for 5:00 and start it. 5. Read your 2AR overview and then read your 2AR blocks in order. Make sure to signpost, or tell the judge when you are moving from one position to the next. Remember to read only the 2AR numbered arguments that have been circled. The Forensics Files ©

22. After the Round – Before Decision After the Round – Before the Decision 1A2A 1.Start locating and collecting all of your materials from the round. This includes the 1AC and 1AR Blocks, and your timer, pens, paper, etc., that were used in the round. Then start putting them back in your 1A File. 2.Provide the materials that the judge asks for. Sometimes the judge will ask to see some of the evidence during the round. If so, provide them to the judge. 3.*Write down the arguments that the other team read in the 1NC; the positions they went for in the 2NC & 1NR; and the position(s) they went for in the 2NR. You will uses these to add to your Opponent Database that you and your school can use in future rounds. 1.Start locating and collecting all of your materials from the round. This includes the 2AC Blocks and 2AR Blocks, and your timer, pens, paper, etc., that were used in the round. 2.Provide the materials that the judge asks for. Sometimes the judge will ask to see some of the evidence during the round. If so, provide it to the judge. 3.*Write down the arguments that the other team read in the 1NC and the positions they went for in the 2NC & 1NR and the position(s) they went for in the 2NR. The Forensics Files ©

23. After the Round – During the Decision 1A2A After the Round – During the Decision 1A2A 1. Pay attention to the advice the judge gives you. *Write down what the judge says. This will go into your Judge Database. Sometimes the advice will be good advice and other times the advice will be bad. Regardless, the point of writing it down fulfills two purposes. The first is so that you can take the comments back to your coach and your coach can tell you whether or not you should take the advice. The second is so that you can have a record of what your particular judge likes and dislikes. That way, the next time you or your teammates have that judge, you can be more prepared than you were the time before. 1. Pay attention to the advice the judge gives you. *Write down what the judge says. Sometimes the advice will be good advice and other times the advice will be bad. Regardless, the point of writing it down is for two main reasons. The first is so that you can take the comments back to your coach and your coach can tell you whether or not you should take the advice. The second is so that you can have a record of what your particular judge likes and dislikes. That way, the next time you or your teammates have that judge, you can be more prepared than you were the time before. The Forensics Files ©

24. After the Round – After the Decision 1A2A 1.Start putting all of your materials away. Do not leave the room until you have packed up your materials. If you leave your materials around the room and then leave, you run this risk that your materials may be lost or stolen. It is also usually true that you will have a debate round to go to after you completed this last one. So you will need to be ready to move to another debate room. Even if you are staying in the same room for the next debate round, you will probably be debating on the NEG side. 2.If there’s time, meet with your coach to discuss the round and the judge’s comments. Ask your coach what you were confused about during the debate and what advice from the judge your coach thinks you should take. 1.Start putting all of your materials away. Do not leave the room until you have packed up your materials. If you leave your materials around the room and then leave, you run this risk that your materials may be lost or stolen. It is also usually true that you will have a debate round to go to after you completed the last one. So you will need to be ready to move to another debate room. Even if you are staying in the same room for the next debate round, you will probably be debating on the NEG side. 2.If there’s time, meet with your coach to discuss the round and the judge’s comments. Ask your coach what you were confused about during the debate and what advice from the judge your coach thinks you should take. The Forensics Files ©

25. After the Round – After the Tournament 1A2A 1.Compile your Judge Database and your Opponent Info Sheet with your other teams at your school, if any. The point is to have a record of judges and opponents so that you can more adequately research them in the future. 2.Prepare new blocks for the positions that you heard at the debate tournament. Refer to the Open Evidence Project to get cards to put in your new 2AC blocks. Make sure that the 2AC Blocks and the 1AR Blocks and the 2AR Blocks all match each other for the position. Follow the instructions for writing new blocks in the 1A File. 3.Practice on the pointers that your judges and coach gave you to improve on your speaking and argumentation. 4.If the opposing team read an argument that you would like to run on the negative, try to find a similar file on the Open Evidence Project or from a camp file. 1.Compile your Judge Database and your Opponent Info Sheet with your other teams at your school, if any. The point is to have a record of judges and opponents so that you can more adequately research them in the future. 2.Prepare new blocks for the positions that you heard at the debate tournament. Refer to the instructions in the 2A File for writing new 2AC, 1AR, and 2AR Blocks. 3.Practice on the pointers that your judges and coach gave you to improve on your speaking and argumentation. 4.If the opposing team read an argument that you would like to run on the negative, try to find a similar file on the Open Evidence Project or from a camp file. The Forensics Files ©