Cross Examination Strategy

February 1, 2008

This article will focus on how to use the CX in LD to your advantage. If you read the previous articles on how to build a case, this strategy will be based on those cases. The topic was “Resolved: The best form of government is one that is based on Utilitarianism.” The Aff case focuses on Utilitarianism (the greater good for the greater number) and the Neg case focuses on Categorical Imperative (being just on both sides). Remember, before doing anything else, make sure you understand your opponent’s case. You must make sure you clarify everything you didn’t catch during their speech. Don’t let your ego cause you a defeat simply because you are too embarrassed to admit you didn’t hear everything. Hopefully it won’t take up all 3 minutes but if it does at least you know what you have to argue.

Next, it’s time for the feeler questions. Let’s see if your opponent really understands their case or are they simply just borrowing a teammate's case. Begin asking them to explain terminology and cards. A strategy I like here is if your opponent doesn’t know the meaning of certain words or cards, then you tell them what it means in a way that benefits you. For example, you have a categorized set of blocks and begin trapping your opponent into admitting that the cards they read fit into a certain block. To translate, I have several blocks or arguments proving why democracy is good. Since my opponent doesn’t fully understand the card he read for Categorical Imperative, I get him to admit that it’s simply just saying that democracy is bad. Now, all I need to do is show that democracy is good using one of my cards to defeat his card. Another one of my favorites is when you can get your opponent to admit that all the sub points he just read in his first contention can all fit into one category. All you need to do now is group all of those arguments together and defeat them with one argument. Finally, there is the sucker question. The Neg asks, “If I can give one example where democracy is unjust, do I win the round? The Aff answers, “Yes.” Now everything is based on one example and the cases no longer matter. Why are these feeler questions? If your opponent knows what he’s talking about, it’s going to be a challenging round because he isn’t going to answer the way that you would like. If he does fall into your trap, there’s a chance you can relax a little bit and have some fun at the same time.

Finally, it’s time for the best part. Only experienced debaters can usually do this part well because they actually understand their cases well enough to use set up questions. When we look to the Aff, it’s proving that democracy is the best form of government because it utilizes utilitarianism. You need to develop questions that prove this point. For example, is it easy to change laws in a democracy? How about in a dictatorship? When looking at all forms of existing governments, isn’t democracy the most just? If done right, these questions can help make your case stronger that utilitarian governments are best. Now look to the Neg. It’s proving that there is another form of government that is more just, categorical imperative. The problem is this form of government only exists in a utopian world. However, there is nothing wrong with striving to be perfect so these types of cases always have an appeal. Your questions need to find flaws in the status quo that the perfect society wouldn’t have to face. For example, couldn’t there be a style of government that’s better than utilitarian ideology? The resolution doesn’t say it has to actually exist does it? If the minority is continually outvoted, how is that just? Is the Patriot Act just even though it involves racial profiling? These questions can help set up the fact that injustices exist on one side and with categorical imperative it would happen less making it more just.

Hopefully this article has brought an awareness that there is a strategy to CX. It’s not just asking random questions to fill time. It’s about asking questions that all have a purpose.