Negative Block Challenge

Introducing the NEGATIVE BLOCK CHALLENGE

WHAT IS IT?

“Negative Block Challenge” is defined as a two-person event where novice policy debaters give a practice 2NC and 1NR in response to a given 2AC. Teams should prepare for 30 minutes and then record their negative block. If possible, they should record the negative block as a single file. Prep time should not be recorded.

LIMITED PREP MATERIALS

Negative Block Challenge Speech Documents

Negative Block Challenge 2AC Speech Recording

COMPETITOR INSTRUCTIONS

1. Assume the 1AC, 1NC, and 2AC below. Flow the 1AC and 1NC using the doc. Then listen to and flow the 2AC using the recording.

2. Teams should prepare and deliver a Negative Block (an eight-minute 2NC speech followed by a five-minute 1NR speech.) The negative block must extend the DoS Counterplan and the DoD Disadvantage. The debater may choose whether to extend or kick the Article 5 Activation DA, and they should decide which case arguments to extend. Use evidence from the 2022 GFCA Novice Packet files to help construct the speech.

3. Teams have 30 minutes to prepare the speeches (and speech documents.)

4. Video record the speech using a laptop or a phone. Name and save the recording.

5. Upload the recording to Google Drive and share it with your coach — make sure to give them “editing” access, not just “viewing” access.

JUDGE INSTRUCTIONS

As they’re reviewing your speech, judges will consider whether — in their judgment — the speech met the following standards:

1. Does the team give an eight-minute 2NC and a five-minute 1NR that extends both the DoS Counterplan and the DoD DA?

2. Does the team either extend the Article 5 Activation DA or kick the Article 5 Activation DA?

3. Does the team begin the disadvantage portion of the speeches with a useful, comparative overview? Does the overview effectively compare the DA’s impact to each of the 1AC’s impacts?

4. On the off-case positions, does the Negative Block respond to each of the 2AC arguments (and only those arguments) in the order they were presented in the 2AC? Does the team explicitly reference each 2AC argument before answering it?

5. On the case, does the Negative Block explicitly extend one or more 1NC arguments?

6. Does the team communicate analytical (unevidenced) arguments clearly?

7. Does the team communicate clearly when reading new evidence?

8. On the off-case positions, does the team appropriately allocate time by more thoroughly responding to the most important 2AC arguments and more briefly responding to the least important 2AC arguments.

9. Does the team complete the speech within the assigned time limit?

10. Do both the 2NC and 1NR have a clear roadmap?