By the Equality in Forensics Contributor Team
This page will teach you everything you need to know about Congressional Debate! Congress is a unique event in that it is a blend of speech AND debate. Easy to learn, hard to master. This page will equip you with the knowledge to excel in Congress.
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Cross fire is a direct-method of questioning that is meant to challenge the merits of your opponent’s arguments. Despite that goal, it’s OK to ask clarification questions when arguments are confusing. Something else to keep in mind is that it’s important to let your opponents speak; don’t cut them off UNLESS they go on an extremely long tangent. Most importantly, it’s important to seem confident in front of lay judges.
First-speaker cross is important (in front of lay judges) because it sets the tone for the rest of the round. First speakers should aim to set up your partner for their next speech by asking leading questions that bait responses your partner will give in rebuttal. But remember to clarify confusing links or arguments because in order to refute the arguments correctly you have to understand them.
Grand crossfire allows all speakers to question each other. First speakers might handle the most of this crossfire to give their partners time to prep for final focus.