Evidence Rules for all debate events

1. Validity of Evidence

1. Definition of Terms:

1. Evidence is quoted information read in the round and must be identified by source.

2. Distortion of evidence exists when the evidence itself contains added or deleted words that do not clarify, but, in fact, change the position of the author with respect to the issues in question.

2. Responsibility for Evidence. Debaters are responsible for the validity of all evidence read or paraphrased in the debate. In all rounds of debate, all debaters shall have available, if challenged by the opponent during any round, complete citations for each piece of evidence introduced including the name of the author, qualifications, complete source title, complete date and page number. Lack of a full citation shall void any effect of that piece of evidence in the round. Either no internal ellipsis (ellipses occur after the first word of the quotation and before the final word) may be used in evidence cited on a card (this must be the case in Parliamentary Debate because no outside materials other than notes on provided colored paper may be brought into the round), or ellipses must be shown on document, if the original source or a photocopy is present. In Policy Debate, Lincoln-Douglas Debate, and Public Forum Debate the evidence may be read in ellipsed form, but the entirety of the evidence must be available in one of the two ways cited. Personal letters, electronic messages, telegrams, and the like are not admissible as evidence.

3. Evidence challenges – all forms of Debate.

1. The burden of proof rests with the individual that challenges the validity of any evidence.

2. The individual/team challenging evidence must indicate prior to the conclusion of the round that a challenge will be made and indicate the specific evidence to be challenged.

3. The round will be completed and the judge(s) will withhold decisions, returning ballots to the tournament tabulation room. Decisions will be rendered on the ballots only after the protest has been resolved by tournament officials. The judges may be asked if the evidence in question was or would have been significant in their decision.

4. The evidence challenge must be made within thirty minutes of the conclusion of the round by the adult sponsor or designated representative of the individual/team who initiated the challenge.

5. The challenging individual/team must be able to provide proof of the charge, within a reasonable time as set by tournament officials, through the use of either original copies of photocopies of the source in question or be able to demonstrate that there is reasonable cause to believe the evidence is nonexistent through the use of photocopies of books in print, periodical guides or other types of bibliographical resources.

6. The tournament committee will adjourn to a private area with the two individuals and examine the charges and evidence along with materials presented by the challenging individual. Adult coaches or sponsors may be present during the examination.

7. Individuals utilizing "handbook" evidence rarely have available the facilities to check all sources found in those handbooks. Handbook evidence proven inaccurate will be disallowed in the round, and judges instructed to not consider the evidence in rendering a decision.

8. Evidence proven to be falsified or distorted from the original source will be grounds for awarding the challenging individual/team a win and disqualifying from the tournament the individual/team found guilty of using falsified or distorted evidence.

9. If the evidence challenge is not upheld, the judges will be asked to render a decision and turn in their ballots after they have been informed that the evidence in question was not found to be falsified or inaccurately presented.

10. The tournament committee has one-half hour to hear arguments and examine evidence and must render a decision within fifteen minutes of the conclusion of the presentations. The round following the contested round may not begin until the dispute is resolved.

1. Prompting Philosophy: Oral prompting, except time signals, either by the speaker's colleague or by any other person while the debater has the floor, is discouraged though not prohibited and may be penalized by some judges. Debaters may, however, refer to their notes and materials and may consult with their teammate while they do not have the floor and during the Grand Crossfire or Cross examination portion of the debates.

2. Use of Electronic Devices: The use of internet-enabled devices and internet is permitted at the National Tournament. The use of internet-enabled devices and internet at the qualifying tournament will be the autonomous decision of each district. Laptop use must comply with the Guidelines for Use of Internet-Enabled Devices in Debate Events.