SKILL #5: Crystallization & Weighing
🎯 Objective:
Learn how to synthesize the debate and show the judge why you should win by identifying the most important arguments, weighing them against your opponent’s, and presenting a clear, persuasive summary.
What is Crystallization?
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Crystallization is like zooming out and saying, “Here’s what this whole debate boils down to.”
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Instead of focusing on every argument, you highlight the biggest issues (the ones that matter most).
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It’s about clarity and focus, not just repeating everything you said.
What is Weighing?
Weighing is comparing the importance of your arguments to your opponent’s.
Judges are asking:
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“Which impacts are bigger?”
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“Which happen faster?”
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“Which are more likely to occur?”
Use weighing terms like:
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Magnitude: How big the impact is.
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Timeframe: How soon the impact happens.
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Probability: How likely the impact is to occur.
Pro Tip: Use simple phrases like: “Our argument outweighs theirs because it affects more people and happens immediately.”
Example Crystallization & Weighing
Topic: Junk food tax vs. personal choice.
“Our key argument about public health outweighs the opposition’s claim about personal freedom. Our evidence from the CDC shows that junk food taxes directly reduce obesity, saving thousands of lives — a far greater impact than minor consumer inconvenience. The timeframe is immediate, as taxes reduce consumption today, and the magnitude is huge: thousands of lives saved.”
Steps for Crystallization & Weighing
1️⃣ Identify the biggest issue in the round.
2️⃣ Restate your strongest arguments, concisely.
3️⃣ Compare your arguments to your opponent’s.
4️⃣ Explain why your side’s impacts are more significant.
5️⃣ Tie it back to the round’s framing (big picture).
Practice Exercise
1️⃣ Watch a final round video (or read a flow).
2️⃣ Identify:
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The biggest issue in the round.
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The strongest argument on each side.
3️⃣ Write a crystallization summary for one side, including:
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Restated argument.
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Comparison to the opponent.
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Clear weighing (magnitude, timeframe, probability).