How to Cross-Examine in Debate

What cross-examination is for

Cross-examination is not a speech. Judges rarely decide a round on what happens in cross-ex itself; they decide on what the next speech does with it. Its jobs are to clarify what the other side is arguing, to get commitments you can use, and to expose a warrant that does not hold.

That changes how you ask. You are not trying to win an argument with the speaker. You are collecting material for your speech, so every question should lead to something you can say later.

Designing questions

Ask leading, closed questions that invite a yes or a no. Open questions such as "why do you think that?" hand the speaker a second speech. Closed questions keep control with you.

Good lines of questioning have a shape: commit, then confront.

1. Commit the speaker to something they cannot easily deny. "Your plan relies on schools having enough trained staff?"
2. Narrow it. "And you have not told us where those staff come from?"
3. Stop. Do not ask the final question that lets them explain. Make the point in your speech instead: "They conceded the plan needs staff it never provides."

Write your opening question for each line before the round. You will adapt the rest, but a prepared first question stops you from opening with something vague.

Managing the time

A three-minute period fits two or three lines of questioning, not ten. Pick the lines that attack the warrant the round depends on, and leave minor points for the speech. If an answer is evasive, ask once more in a narrower form, then move on; the judge has seen the evasion.

Common mistakes:

• Asking open questions that let the speaker repeat their case.
• Arguing with the answer instead of asking the next question.
• Asking one question too many, so the speaker gets to explain away the point.
• Running out of time before reaching the line that mattered.
• Getting a concession and never mentioning it again.

Using concessions in your speech

A concession only counts if the judge hears it again in a speech. Quote it, say what it means for the clash, and weigh it: "In cross-ex they agreed the plan needs trained staff. They have no source of staff, so the plan does not solve." Concessions are strong because the other side cannot easily take them back.

Answering cross-examination

When you are the one answering, keep answers short and accurate, and do not concede the warrant your case depends on. If a question rests on an assumption you reject, say so in one sentence. It is fine to say you will answer a point in your speech; it is not fine to filibuster.

Format notes

Policy and Lincoln-Douglas

Each constructive is followed by a three-minute cross-examination by the opponent. Use it to set up the rebuttals, and note which answers you will need later.

Public Forum

Crossfire is three minutes, and both speakers can ask and answer. Grand crossfire involves all four debaters. With shared time, short questions and short answers matter even more.

World Schools and British Parliamentary

There is no cross-examination period. Points of Information do the same job in fifteen seconds: one sharp question or statement aimed at a weak warrant.

Practise with DebateLab Crossfire

Crossfire runs a question period against the AI in either direction. Question the AI while it answers from the opposing side, or let the AI question you while you defend your case. Choose a cooperative, evasive or aggressive opponent, so you can practise follow-ups against slippery answers as well as straight ones. Each session ends with a debrief. Attack can also suggest cross-ex questions for an argument, which you can open in Crossfire to practise.