A Lost Art: The Issue Summary Speech in PF Debate By Abe Fraifeld
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The average summary speech is not a summary; it is a brazen attempt to cover 18-20 minutes of content in two minutes while adding extra analysis. Under the average PF judge’s current expectations, the first summary speech is the hardest to deliver in all of debate. In fact, as I’ve written elsewhere, the natural limit on speed in PF means first speakers meeting expectations on the flow have to cut corners. They can either choose to fulfill flow-related responsibilities, or they can speak eloquently and remain academically honest. This dilemma is illustrated by some basic math: Let’s say a PF round consists of five main contention level arguments (two on the Pro, three on the Con), and each one has been taken out in two ways. Judges expect the Pro first speaker to
A Lost Art: The Issue Summary Speech in PF Debate By Abe Fraifeld
A Lost Art: The Issue Summary Speech in PF…
A Lost Art: The Issue Summary Speech in PF Debate By Abe Fraifeld
The average summary speech is not a summary; it is a brazen attempt to cover 18-20 minutes of content in two minutes while adding extra analysis. Under the average PF judge’s current expectations, the first summary speech is the hardest to deliver in all of debate. In fact, as I’ve written elsewhere, the natural limit on speed in PF means first speakers meeting expectations on the flow have to cut corners. They can either choose to fulfill flow-related responsibilities, or they can speak eloquently and remain academically honest. This dilemma is illustrated by some basic math: Let’s say a PF round consists of five main contention level arguments (two on the Pro, three on the Con), and each one has been taken out in two ways. Judges expect the Pro first speaker to