Lesson 12 min 20 XP
Flowing: Track Every Argument
How to use a flow sheet to track arguments, responses, and drops across an entire debate round.
What Is Flowing?
Flowing is the debate-specific note-taking system used to track every argument across every speech in a round. It's called 'flowing' because arguments flow across columns from speech to speech.
The Setup
Turn your paper landscape. Create one column for each speech in the debate. In a standard Policy round:
| 1AC | 1NC | 2AC | 2NC | 1AR | 1NR | 2AR | 2NR |
|---|
For British Parliamentary, you'd have 8 columns (PM, LO, DPM, DLO, MG, MO, GW, OW).
How to Flow
- In the first column, write each argument the first speaker makes. Use abbreviations. 'UBI reduces crime through financial security' becomes 'UBI → ↓crime via $floor.'
- In the next column, write the opponent's response directly across from the argument it addresses. This creates a visual map of which arguments are being contested.
- Mark drops — arguments that go unaddressed. Draw an arrow through empty cells. Dropped arguments are conceded arguments. In most judging paradigms, a dropped argument is treated as true.
- Continue across columns as the debate progresses. By the end, you can trace any argument's journey through the entire debate.
Why Flowing Matters
- It prevents you from dropping arguments. If you can see an unanswered argument in your column, you know to address it.
- It helps you make strategic choices. Not every argument is worth responding to. The flow lets you see which arguments are winning and where to focus.
- Judges flow too. Understanding flowing means understanding how judges track the round.