How to Flow
And why you should do it –
always, all the time, in every
round
Necessary supplies
Necessary Supplies
FAQ: But Why Can’t I Flow On
My Laptop?
 Because
you’re probably paperless – and
you can’t flow and prep a speech on
your laptop at the same time
 Because it limits the amount of a flow you
can see at one time
 Because you can’t spread out laptop
flows to look at the whole round at once
FAQ: What should my flows
look like?
FAQ: What if I’m Lefty?
Some lefty’s flow
normal…
…but some choose
to flow right to left
Why?
 If
you flow normally as a lefty, you cover
up what has already happened in a
debate as you move from speech to
speech
Cons
 It’s
annoying for your 2N if they don’t do it
as well
 It may be easier to plan space for your
rebuttal if you flow normal instead of
goofy.
 It can be confusing if you are inconsistent
Puppy Break
Sloth Break
Why is this line there?
Why isn’t it here?
 Why
don’t these
2AC arguments
have a line under
them?
The arguments were:
• No internal link – link ev isn’t
reverse causal
• Welfare negates the benefits of
reform
• The internal link ev is about
portions of immigration reform
that won’t pass regardless (this
was a reference from a cx)
See the line?


Why is there a line
to the left of “env
not destructable”
and “no extinction
from env collapse”
NOTE: remember
that this is our
“goofy” flow - the
2AC is to the LEFT of
the 1NC
What are your questions about
flowing?
Fun Fact: debaters flip paper
vertical, not horizontal
How to flip a flow
How to turn pages in
a book
The Greatest Flowing Advice
You’ll Ever Receive (AKA The “Alwayses
of Flowing”)
 Always
always always flow
 Always always always save your flows
 Always take notes on judge decisions (I
prefer to type mine, so I can easily find
them when that person judges me again)
 Always flow every speech
 Always flow your partners speeches
 Always have extra pens and oodles of
paper
The Nevers of Flowing
 There’s
one big one:
Never give up and stop flowing – no
excuses
Advanced Flowing Tips
You know how to flow – what should you do in round?
Please note – a lot of this is things to make you more
efficient. Novices should just always flow and worry
about adding extras in later.
During the 1AC
Aff
 1AC is speaking
 1As should
probably preflow
the 1AC
 As a 2A, I liked to
write down just the
authors of the 1AC
as a visual cue
Neg
During the 1NC
Aff


2A can flow and
prep during off case.
As soon as the 1N
gets to the case
debate, you should
ONLY be flowing –
dropping case args
can be devastating.
1A flows
Neg


1N should be speaking.
2N should already know
what the off case
position cards say
(here’s another place
where flowing
authors/questions can
help for your next
speech) and may start
working on the 2NC
(while also flowing).
2N should backflow for
1N
During the 2AC
Aff


1A – should be
flowing. A detailed
2AC flow is really
helpful. Should also
backflow – flow the
2AC for the 2A
2A should be
speaking.
Neg


1N – should be flowing
all of the positions. Take
extra note of theory
arguments – if the 2n
doesn’t answer these,
that makes it your job.
2N – should be flowing
and preparing the 2NC.
Pay extra attention to
positions you’re taking.
During the Negative Block
1A




Has some options
1: flow everything
2: “shadow flow” – write
down your answers as the
neg speakers are giving
their speeches – this saves
prep and helps you group
the debate, but it takes
practice
3: I’m not sure, there are
probably other ways
people do it.
2A
 Should
be flowing.
During the 2nc,
think about your
cross-x. But mostly
flow.
During the Negative Block
2N


During the 2NC, give
your speech.
During the 1NR, flow
the 1NR. It’s hard to
give a 2NR on what
the 1NR says if you
don’t know what
that is
1N



During the 2NC, DON’T flow
the 2NC!
WHAT?
1Ns should never flow the
block. Focus on prepping
the sickest speech you’ve
ever given because you’ve
got oodles of prep time –
just remember to keep an
ear out for if the 2N drops
an important argument
they were supposed to
take(IE Condo)
During the 1AR
Aff
 1A
is speaking
 2A is flowing
Neg


1N is flowing
2N is flowing and
prepping for the 2NR.
The 1AR often shapes
2NR strategic choices
by where they use
trickery and good
strategy and where
they make mistakes, so
its important to know
what the 1AR said.
During the 2NR
Aff


1A is flowing
2A is flowing, but also
prepping the 2AR, but
flowing. You should be
thinking about what
you need to win to win
the debate, and what
they need to win to do
the same.
Neg
 1N
is FLOWING. 1Ns
who clock out after
the 1NR are
slackers. Flow.
Every. Speech. (see
the Alwayses)
 2N is speaking.
During the 2Ar



The 2A is speaking
Everyone else is FLOWING. If you don’t flow,
you’re obnoxious. If you don’t flow and then fight
with a judge or tell your coach you shouldn’t
have lost you are extra obnoxious. ALWAYS flow.
NEVER stop flowing. Flowing is great.
Especially 1As – look out for 2AR uh-ohs!
WE LOVE FLOWING!!!
Refutation
She was like “yeah” and then I was like “no way”
Why Refutation?
 “Two
ships passing in the night”
Refutation Part 1: EAR
 Starting
here because you have all
learned the acronym
 Extend
 Answer
 Read more evidence
Beyond Simple Refutation





This was my flow of the
case turn to internet
freedom
I grouped the
argument
I made two analytical
answers on my flow
Read a card
Made two more
analytical answers on
the fly
Why so many arguments?
The 2NC/1NR rule:
twice as many cards
as the 2AC, at least
2-3 answers per
argument
The 2AC rule:
As many arguments
as you need to get
the job done
The ideal 2NC/1NR
 Recall
the rule
 Here is what
following the rule
should look like
Answering Arguments Includes
 Making
smart answers
 Reading new cards that are responsive
 Using warrants from evidence you have
already read
But Wait, There’s more!
 You
need to decide WHERE to read cards
and HOW MANY and how many
arguments to make against each other
argument
Refuting in Order


You should answer
arguments “line-byline”
“They say no nuclear
terror, but terrorists
have the means and
motive for a nuclear
attack and only
metadata has been
shown to stop them –
that’s 1NC Young”
Why signal where you are?
 Keeps
the debate organized
 Allows the judge to follow your arguments
 Helps you win!
Good Refutation v Bad
Refutation: They say “metadata not
key to fight terror”
Bad Refutation
 “Metadata
is key
to fight terror”
#NewCard
Good Refutation


Why is the “Good” example
good/better?

They say “metadata not
key” but it has been
integral in stopping
more than 50 attacks
including a major
planned bombing of the
NYSE – that’s Young
Then read another
“metadata is key card”
Then indict the 2AC
card
Questions?