How-to guide

How to Weigh in Debate

Use impact calculus to tell the judge why your argument matters more.

Magnitude vs probability

A crawlable overview of a DebateLab workflow that opens into the private app.

Timeframe and scope

A crawlable overview of a DebateLab workflow that opens into the private app.

Link strength and reversibility

A crawlable overview of a DebateLab workflow that opens into the private app.

Why weighing wins rounds

If both sides have offense, the judge needs a reason to prefer yours. Weighing gives them that reason by comparing impacts across multiple dimensions.

Types of weighing

Magnitude: how big is the impact? Probability: how likely is it? Timeframe: how soon? Reversibility: can it be undone? Scope: who is affected? Link strength: how certain is the causal chain?

When to weigh

Start weighing in the constructive, reinforce in rebuttals, and crystallize in the final speech. Late weighing is better than no weighing, but early weighing frames the entire round.

Related DebateLab guides

Frequently asked questions

Is DebateLab an AI debate practice platform?

Yes. DebateLab focuses on debate prep workflows such as cases, rebuttals, evidence, flowcharts, coaching, and timing.

Can Google index private DebateLab app pages?

No. Private dashboards and account routes should remain noindexed while public guides provide crawlable context.

Should students verify AI-generated debate evidence?

Yes. AI can suggest research leads, but students should check original sources before using evidence in round.