Purpose For C-X:
Cross-examination consumes 12 minutes of an 80 minute (prep
time included) round; that's 15% of the debate. The c-x period
can achieve several strategic goals:
- Checking Evidence:
First, ask your opponents for a copy of all evidence used
in the speech. Immediately hand it to your partner. Check
evidence source and quality. Set a goal of finding at
least two pieces of evidence that fails acceptable
standards. (See Tests of Evidence.)
- Clarifying Issues:
The most important purpose of c-x is to ask questions
that clarify your opponent's position. You can't defeat a
case you don't understand and chances are the judge
understands everything they said. DO NOT simply ask them
to repeat something or to outline their issues - this
makes you look stupid. Ask questions that are very
specific. (For example: If they plan
to use trade sanctions for enforcement, ask them to
specify what kind of sanctions and for how long?)
- Challenging Credibility:
Many debaters do not fully understand their own case. Ask
pointed on- case questions for which you already know the
answers. Ask them to answer in their own words and not to
look back in their case for an answer. If they can't
answer your questions quickly and easily, they loose
credibility and the judge is less likely to accept their
arguments. (For example: If they offer
a counterplan that makes it unlawful for U.S. businesses
to buy Chinese products, ask them what current laws are
in effect similar to theirs? - Answer: It is now illegal
for US businesses to buy products made by forced labor.)
- Make Them Commit:
Many constructions are vague (lacks clear specifics).
This is especially true of the 1AC allowing the 2AC to go
in different directions according to 1NC attacks. Ask
specific solvency questions. (For
example: How do you plan to monitor how China disposes of
their nuclear waste? or How do you plan to stop Chinese
goods from coming into the US through a third party, i.e.
Thailand?)
- Establish Standards and
Criteria: Sometimes you can get an opponent to
agree to specific standards or criteria that you will use
later on to destroy their case. Ask questions about
acceptable levels. (For example: Is
two out of ten deaths from a disease significant? Then if
a country destroys 20% of a territory's population,
that's a significant number isn't it?)
- Set Up Your Attacks:
Sometimes you can use your opponent's own words as
evidence to support your arguments. Ask questions that
your opponents will agree with and unknowingly support
your case. (For example: Do you agree
that forced labor is a violation of basic human rights?
Then in a construction: The US is using a double standard
when it comes to human rights. The Affirmative agrees
that forced labor is wrong, but our own government uses
forced labor - witness the chain gangs in Alabama.)
- Use as Prep Time:
Eight minutes of prep time goes by very quickly. If you
and your partner can keep an opponent busy for the entire
3 minutes, you will gain a total of 12 minutes
preparation.
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Asking and Answering Questions:
There is a certain skill involved in asking and answering c-x
questions. The following list outlines the do's and don't in
asking and answering questions:
- DO ASK questions that require quick, simple responses.
Preferably, ask Yes - No questions.
- DO ANSWER questions with long, extended answers - use the
time as supplemental speech time.
- DO ANSWER Yes/No questions by explaining first and then
giving the Yes/No last.
- DO ASK your opponents to stop when they have answered
your question, be persistent.
- DO ANSWER the questions the way you want, DO NOT let an
opponent stop you 1/2 way through.
- DO NOT ASK to see evidence that has not been presented -
DO ASK them to give it in next speech.
- DO ANSWER test evidence questions by offering to find it,
take your time, and talk while looking.
- DO ASK your opponent to answer all questions,
- DO NOT allow them to look up the answers.
- DO ANSWER all questions, know your case, DO NOT look up
answers, DO NOT avoid questions.
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C-X Questions Are Not Issues:
Technically, the judge does not flow the questions and answers
period. Although you or an opponent makes a good, potentially
dangerous point in c-x, that point is not an issue in the debate
until it is brought up as an issue during a construction. (DO NOT try to respond to good points your opponent
makes unless they are brought up in a regular speech! DON'T
FORGET good points you've made.)
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Purpose
For C-X