What a Card Is
In debate slang, a 'card' is a piece of cut evidence: a quotation from a source used to support a warrant. You will be able to identify the parts of a properly formatted card.
Anatomy of a Card
A complete card has a cite (author's last name, credentials, publication, and year) and the cut text itself — the exact quoted language from the source. In PF, cards are usually read aloud briefly during Constructive or Rebuttal and kept in full in a document called a case file or brief for reference.
Why Cut Cards Instead of Summaries?
Reading the source's exact words, rather than paraphrasing from memory, protects against misrepresenting the author and gives the other team something concrete to challenge in Crossfire. A cut card also lets a judge follow along if they ask to see evidence after the round (evidence exchange).
A debater is preparing a card on climate policy from a peer-reviewed source.
Cite: 'Chen, Dr. Wei, Professor of Environmental Economics at Stanford University, 2023, Journal of Climate Policy.' Cut text: 'Carbon pricing at $50 per ton reduces emissions by 12% within five years without measurable GDP loss.' The debater reads the cite, then the cut text, then explains it in their own words for the judge.
1. A 'cut card' in PF refers to:
Answer all 1 to check.
A card is a cite plus a direct quotation — the raw material behind your warrants.