Common Terminology

Break – verb
Speech & debate usage: to qualify into (a) elimination round(s).

Example: “Hey, Taman, did you break in Extemp?”
“Why yes, I broke into semi-finals.”

Wild Card – noun
Speech & debate usage: a privilege earned by doing well at a League tournament which allows you to attend the State Qualifying tournament in addition to our allotted slots.

Example: “Gosh, Mohit is practicing every day this month! He is definitely going to get a wild card at League!”

Out Rounds – noun
Speech & debate usage: elimination rounds such as finals, semifinals, quarterfinals, etc.

Example: “Hey, Grace! You made out rounds... again! Congratulations.”

Postings – noun
Speech & debate usage: pieces of paper that are posted on the walls before each round; these tell competitors where their next round will be and against whom; postings have magnetic powers for speech and debaters, and are known for creating buffalo stampede-like phenomena in high school cafeterias.

Example: “Hey Zade, postings are up!”
“Alright Ronak, let’s do this!”

Pick Up – verb
Speech & debate usage: to win a debate round.

Example: “I’m so happy I picked up that debate round!”

Drop – verb
Speech & debate usage: to lose a debate round.

Example: “Geez, Brian! I can’t believe you dropped that debate round! There goes your letter of recommendation!”
“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Brasher! I really should have practiced more!”

Flow – verb
Speech & debate usage: to take notes during a debate in shorthand; also flowsheet - the piece of paper you take notes on; also flow judges - judges who are familiar with debate format and jargon and can take notes in flow.

Example: “Hey Aparna, my flow looks like random scratches.”
“Hmm, you’re right Ryan. I think you should practice flowing more often.”

Spread – verb
Speech & debate usage: in team debate, to read your cases and evidence as fast as humanly possible, in an attempt to cram as much information into a given time span as possible.

Example: “Wow, Edwin is really good at spreading in debate rounds!”

Picket Fence – verb
Speech & debate usage: to earn first places from all your judges in all of your rounds at a tournament; on tabulation sheets, the ones resemble a picket fence.

Example: “Oh, wow! Sam picket fenced at the last tournament!