Cross-examination and crossfire preparation notes

The cards

1. 1

   Goals of cross-examination

   • Clarify their arguments so you can attack them accurately
   • Expose weak evidence or missing steps in their reasoning
   • Get admissions you can quote in your next speech
   • Build your image as calm and in control

   Cross-ex is for setting up, not winning on the spot.

2. 2

   Question sequence: the missing link

   1. "Your argument is that [A] leads to [C], correct?"
   2. "What is the step between A and C?"
   3. "What evidence shows that step happens?"
   4. "So without that evidence, we can't be sure C happens?"
3. 3

   Question sequence: evidence check

   • "Where is your evidence from? When was it published?"
   • "Is that example typical, or a special case?"
   • "Does your source say [exact claim], or something narrower?"

   Ask to see their evidence if your format allows it.

4. 4

   Question sequence: trade-offs

   • "Who pays for your plan?"
   • "What happens to [group] if your plan goes ahead?"
   • "Is there any situation where your plan would make things worse?"

   Look for a harm you can weigh against their benefit.

5. 5

   Good question habits

   • Short, closed questions you know the answer to
   • One idea per question
   • Politely cut off long answers: "Thank you, that's enough for my purposes."
   • No arguing during cross-ex. Save it for your speech
6. 6

   Answering their questions

   • Pause and repeat the question in your head
   • Answer briefly, then return to your case: "Yes, and that's why [our point]."
   • Reject false choices: "Neither. Our position is [___]."
   • If you don't know: "I'd have to check that, but our argument doesn't depend on it because [___]."
7. 7

   Prepared questions for this round

   • On their argument 1: [___]
   • On their argument 2: [___]
   • On their evidence: [___]
   • Trap sequence: [___] → [___] → [___]
8. 8

   Mistakes to avoid

   • Asking "why" questions that let them give a speech
   • Asking a question you don't know the answer to on a key point
   • Arguing with their answer instead of moving on
   • Using all your time on one argument
   • Forgetting to write down what they admitted

   Plan to cover at least two of their arguments in every cross-ex.

9. 9

   Use the admissions

   Note any concessions in the exact words they used:

   • Admission: [___]

   In your speech: "In cross-examination, my opponent agreed that [___]. That means [why it helps us]."