Keeping Track of Arguments: What Is Flowing?

What Is Flowing?

  • Flowing is a method of taking notes during the round.
  • When should I flow?
    • Any time you are not speaking!
      • This includes your opponent’s speeches, your partner’s speeches, and your partner’s crossfires.
  • Why is flowing helpful?
    • Flowing ensures that you are listening carefully to your opponent’s speeches.
    • Flowing helps you keep track of all the arguments.
    • Flowing helps you know what to extend in later speeches of the debate.

What Is the Best Way to Flow?

  • Use a different sheet of paper for the pro and con side.
  • Create four vertical columns.
    • Each column represents a different speech.
    • Line up responses to an argument so that you easily know what to extend.
  • Leave extra space.
    • Leave room for framework at the top of the constructive speech.
    • Leave space between each contention because there might be several responses to one contention.
  • Advanced Flowing
    • Pre-flow your own constructive speech before the round.
      • This allows the second speaker to focus on thinking of responses to your opponent’s constructive speech while the first speaker reads the constructive speech.
    • Use symbols and abbreviations to write down all the content in a quicker way.
    • Flow each side in a different color to create more visual separation.

Example Flows:

Chart with 4 columns titled Pro-side Flow. From left to right, the columns are labeled Constructive Speech (PRO), Rebuttal (CON), Summary (PRO), and Final Focus (PRO).
Chart with 4 columns titled Con-side Flow. From left to right, the columns are labeled Constructive Speech (CON), Rebuttal (PRO), Summary (CON), and Final Focus (CON).

Main Takeaways from the Example

  • Space was left at the top for framework and between arguments.

  • Arguments that clash line up with each other.

  • By lining up the responses to the arguments, one can easily see what to extend.