2NC

The 2NC, or Second Negative Constructive, is the fourth speech in a Team Policy debate round and the last constructive speech. As with the other constructive speeches, it lasts eight minutes and is followed by a three-minute cross-examination.

The 2NC is immediately followed by another Negative speech, the 1NR. This conjunction of speeches is known as the "Negative block".

Contents and coverage
2NC strategy varies widely by team, and depends strongly upon what arguments were raised in the 1NC. The 2NC may stick to expanding arguments raised in the 1NC (shell-and-extend), focus on refuting claims made in the 1AC (splitting the block), focus on new off-case arguments like disadvantages (the Emory switch), or some combination of these. (For more in-depth discussion of these organizational schemes, see 1NC.)

The 2NC may respond to some arguments made in the 2AC, but most debates leave the majority of 2AC arguments for the 1NR to answer.

Before the 2NC, the first Negative speaker cross-examines the second Affirmative speaker. The Negative may use this cross-examination to set up arguments for the 2NC.