Framing

Framing occurs when a team explains why certain issues, actors, or contexts are more or less relevant than others to how a debate or clash is evaluated. UADC 2025 Handbook, Appendix C ("Frame/Framing") uses the same word for the general context of a team's case, such as descriptions of society or of actors.

• Example: In social justice debates, teams might frame that it is more relevant to analyze how moderates receive an action rather than political extremists, since extremists are unmoving.

Framing is frequently done through weighing. While framing can happen in any speech, good cases and first speakers often include it in their set up, as it is the underlying logic of the case. Speakers do not need to flag the word "framing"; judges look for material that performs the function.