Includes bibliographical references and index.

1. The value of debate -- 2. Making sense of argument -- 3. Getting the most out of research -- 4. Choosing the debate format that is right for you -- 5. An introduction to policy debate -- 6. Affirmative case structures in policy debate -- 7. Negative strategy in policy debate -- 8. The role of the counterplan in policy debate -- 9. Cross-examination technique in policy debate -- 10. Critiques in policy debate -- 11. An introduction to Lincoln-Douglas debate -- 12. Value hierarchies and philosophy in Lincoln-Douglas debate -- 13. Affirmative casing in Lincoln-Douglas debate -- 14. Negative strategy in Lincoln-Douglas debate -- 15. Cross-examination technique in Lincoln-Douglas debate -- 16. Format and speaker burdens in public forum debate -- 17. The media model in public forum debate -- 18. Strategy in public forum debates -- Appendixes -- A. Policy debate final round -- B. Lincoln-Douglas final round -- C. Public forum final round -- D. Organizations governing debate competition -- E. Debate resolutions from previous years -- F. Glossary of debate terms -- Index.