A–Z

Adoption

The convention’s final yes vote on a proposal as perfected. Adoption requires a two-thirds vote, echoing Article V of the Constitution.

Agenda

The order in which the convention takes up its proposals, set by majority vote at the start of a session.

Article V

The part of the Constitution that governs how it is amended: two-thirds of each House of Congress (or a convention called by two-thirds of the states) proposes; three-fourths of the states ratify. Our two-thirds adoption rule echoes it.

Clash

Directly responding to what an earlier speaker said, rather than only adding your own point. Judges reward clash highly.

Convention

The body of delegates deliberating together — one continuing room, all day, like Philadelphia in 1787.

Convention Clerk

The adult who helps run the room: official time, the speaking tally, and the texts of pending amendments. The Clerk does not score and does not debate.

Convention President

The delegate elected to preside — recognizing speakers fairly, managing amendment votes, and keeping time. The role is scored; a script is in the Delegate Guide.

Delegate

You — a voting member of the convention, with the floor rights and responsibilities that come with the role.

Docket

The published list of proposals the convention may debate. See Sample Proposals for the style.

Floor

The right to speak. To “have the floor” is to be the recognized speaker; to “seek the floor” is to rise for recognition.

Flowing

Organized note-taking that tracks who argued what, so your speech answers the room. See the Delegate Guide.

Germane

On-subject. A perfecting amendment must be germane — it must concern the proposal it amends.

Motion

A formal request a delegate makes — to amend, to vote, to recess. Novices need only a few; see the motions table.

Perfecting amendment

A specific written change to a proposal’s text (“strike… insert…”), moved by a delegate, debated briefly, and incorporated by simple majority. The convention’s signature move.

Precedence

The fairness rule for who speaks next: whoever has spoken fewest times goes first.

Previous question

The motion to end debate and move to the final adoption vote. Needs a second and a majority.

Proposal

A draft amendment to the United States Constitution, written as numbered sections, debated by the convention. Drafted for debate — not pending before Congress.

Questioning period

The short time (about one minute) after each speech when other delegates may question the speaker.

Ranking

At the end of each session, each judge lists the delegates in order, best first. Rankings combine across both sessions to decide awards.

Recency

The tiebreaker within precedence: among delegates who’ve spoken equally often, the one who spoke longest ago goes first.

Second (a motion)

A second delegate’s “second!” showing a motion is worth considering. Most motions need one before a vote.

Session

One extended block of deliberation. Our convention meets in two (morning and afternoon), each judged independently.

Signing

The convention’s closing ceremony: delegates sign what the body adopted — as thirty-nine delegates signed on September 17, 1787.

Sponsorship speech

The first speech on a proposal, always in favor: it explains what the proposal does and opens the case for it.

Two-thirds vote

The supermajority required for final adoption. It is what makes the event a negotiation: you must persuade well beyond your own side.

Yield

To give up your remaining time. “I yield” means “I’m finished.”

Getting there & parking

The tournament is at Ballantine Hall, 1020 East Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, Indiana, on the Indiana University Bloomington campus.

• Cars: free parking (including ADA-accessible spaces) is available in the nearby Sycamore surface lot and the Atwater garage.
• Buses: free bus parking is available at the Stadium.

Specific lot directions and room assignments will be posted by early October on the event page.

---

Next: see these terms in action in the Format & Rules, or start preparing with the Delegate Guide.