The Flow

Prime Minister Constructive presents the government case in favor of the resolution

Leader of the Opposition Constructive presents Disadvantages, Counterplan, Kritiks, Topicality Arguments, and Case Responses.

Member of the Government Constructive answers the Disadvantages, Counterplan, Kritiks, Topicality Arguments, and defends the Case.

Member of the Opposition Constructive kicks positions (there is almost never enough time to go for everything), and then defends the Disadvantages, Counterplan, Kritiks, Topicality Arguments, and Case Responses. The FOCUS IS THE LINE BY LINE ARGUMENTS.

Leader of the Opposition Rebuttal WEIGHS THE ARGUMENTS—TOUCHES ON THE KEY POINTS ON THE KEY ISSUES IN THE DEBATE AND MAKES THE LARGER CASE FOR VOTING FOR THE OPPOSITION. Note: avoid making new responses/arguments other than extensions of arguments presented in the Member of Opposition constructive speech.

Prime Minister Rebuttal presents THE REASONS THE GOV SHOULD WIN—RESPONDS TO THE LEADER OF OPPOSITION REBUTTAL. Note: Unless the Member of the Opposition constructive made new arguments, the PMR should not make new responses other than extensions of what the Member of the Government constructive argued.

New arguments and ideas are welcome throughout all four constructive speeches. However, during the rebuttal speeches new arguments are not allowed. The only exception is in instances where the Government rebuttalist is taking advantage of their first opportunity to address an argument presented in the Second Opposition Constructive. New examples, analysis, analogies, etc. which support former arguments are permitted and welcome in rebuttals.

The purpose of this rule is simply to grant both teams equal opportunity to respond to each other's arguments. If a new argument is presented, this is another opportunity for the opponent to rise to a "Point of Order" and allow the judge to rule in favor or against the rule violation.