What Is A Summary?
In previous posts, we covered the constructive and rebuttal speeches, both of which introduce new content to the round. The summary speech marks a shift in focus. By this point, a judge has already heard 16 minutes of arguments to sort through. The purpose is to distill that content down to the most critical points. In this article, we’ll discuss the basic structure of a strong summary and the key tools needed to deliver it effectively.
Summary Basics
Given by the first speaker, summary speeches are three minutes long and delivered largely impromptu. Within the speech, the debaters will highlight their strongest points and respond to new arguments brought up in rebuttal. The key to a good summary is to synthesize the information already produced in the round and explain why your side’s arguments are more important
Summary Structure
Unlike the constructive and rebuttal summary doesn’t include a lot of new information, instead, it’s restructuring it. To note, the exact contours or method of the summary are different depending omn the circuit and state. Here, we will cover the two most popular versions; argument by argument and voting issues.
Argument-by-Argument
The most widely used one on the national circuit, and on the ascent, is the argument-by-argument approach. In this version, a team will usually begin with an overview or a sentence instructing the judge as to how they should be voting.
After, the team will go over their main arguments one by one. In each section, they will begin with a short “extension” or summary of the contention they provided in constructive. Then, the speaker will begin addressing the points made against the argument. To do so, they will use a “they say we say” structure where whatever the other team said in rebuttal or first summary is summarized, and then a response is given. Finally, the team will explain why the argument is more important than the other side’s (we call this weighing).
This will then, likely, be repeated for a second main argument. Once a team has covered their main arguments they will attack the other team’s cases. The responses generally come from what the second speaker said in rebuttal and follow a similar they say we say format.
Of note, there is a lot of variation within this structure! Some teams will flip the order and attack their opponent’s arguments first and then follow with their own. Other teams will simply weigh at the end instead of throughout the speech. Here is a helpful visualization:
Voting Issues
A method used in many state-level circuits, voting issues is a method to group your arguments with your opponents and compare them. Instead of going argument by argument voting issues will encompass an impact area like the economy. Then, the speaker will begin by extending one of their arguments, following a similar structure to the argument-by-argument version. After which, the team will respond to the opposition's argument within that issue and end by weighing it. The process is usually repeated for two voting issues.
It’s important to note that this version can also include the judge's instructive statement. Additionally, some teams will call their main arguments voting issues. In those cases, the structure is more similar to the argument-by-argument structure. Here is a graphic displaying the Voting Issue version of the summary.
Which Summary Structure Is Better
Neither the argument-by-argument nor the voting issue structure is more advantageous. Most teams will use the former because it’s hard to create neat categories for arguments and allows for a little more versatility. However, voting issues help compare arguments and generate a narrative for the judge. In the end, it’s all about your style and what works best in your circumstances!
First Summary Differences
One of the major disadvantages of giving the first summary is that you have to respond to all of the other team’s attacks on your case. To manage this, prioritize one of your arguments and ensure to respond to all of their turns.
Key Takeaways
- Summaries distill information: The summary speech isn’t supposed to add new information, it’s a time to explain your strongest points and tell the judge why they are the most important in the round.
- Types of summaries:
- Argument-by-argument: Go argument by argument.
- Voting Issue: Identify key issues in the round and compare arguments.
- First Summary: In the first summary you must respond to the arguments made in the second rebuttal.
What's Next
In the next post, we will go over an example of a summary.
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