Cross-Examination Debate

Curriculum Design

The BFI aims to support both novice and veteran competitors through a curriculum focused on sound fundamentals of debate, while simultaneously offering specialized instruction in students’ areas of interest. At the BFI, students will participate in either the skills (novice) or research (varsity) “track.”

• Skills/Novice Track — The BFI offers a specialized lab for students with little/no experience with policy debate. Our novice lab(s) provide a supportive environment that emphasizes the fundamentals of argumentation and debate. Our staff works closely with novice debaters to learn effective skills in research, argumentation, and delivery. In addition to this specialized instruction, novice students will be provided with the same comprehensive topic knowledge and focus on debate skills that is the Utah difference!
• Research/Varsity Track — The varsity track expands on the fundamentals focused on in the novice track by providing students with foundations in the traditions of critical and performance-oriented debate that will allow them to develop and execute innovative, critical debate arguments, as well as mobilize non-traditional forms of evidence and alternative modes of presentation to make effective arguments. This track features a heavy emphasis on research and case-writing, guided by experience lab instructors. Students to learn to effectively debate critical philosophy, performative arguments, framework, kritiks, and more. Instruction will also focus on “project” debate, narrative, performance strategies (e.g., culture jamming, irony, silence, hip-hop, etc.), and innovative policy debate techniques. Please note: students who participate in the research/varsity track should have no less than one year (six tournaments) of competition at the varsity level.

Debate Skills

All of our policy debate labs use the time tested methods of debates, drills, and do-overs to teach students the skills and habits of highly effective debaters. Policy debaters at the BFI will particpate in multiple, critiqued practice rounds in which staff provide structured, rigorous feedback. In addition to practice rounds, students will regularly deliver “do-overs,” during which students re-give and improve their speeches. Students will also do daily skill drills in lab to refine their communication and argument skills.

Topic Knowledge

The BFI is committed to providing every student comprehensive and foundational knowledge about the national debate topic. Students will be given lectures by innovative debate scholars, nationally-renowned forensics educators, award-winning teachers, and university faculty. These lectures are designed to provide students a solid foundation that will provide every student an advanced, college-level understanding of the national policy debate topic.

Core Courses

• Fundamentals of Argument — focuses on argument construction, analysis of evidence, refutation, and other fundamental argumentation skills.
• Elements of Effective Research — provides hands-on instruction in library research, electronic research, argument construction, and evaluating evidence.
• Fundamentals of Argument — focuses on argument construction, analysis of evidence, refutation, and other fundamental argumentation skills.
• Policy Lab — focuses on practical skills essential for debaters of all experience levels, including effective speaking (drills, judge adaptation, organization, delivery), effective flowing (shorthand, electronic flowing, flowing strategically), and cross-examination (effective questions, alternative uses of cross-examination, partner interaction).
• Comprehensive Topic Lectures — provides every student with an advanced, college-level understanding of the national policy debate topic.

Sample Schedule