Where to find PF, LD and policy debate evidence
Start with public case archives where teams disclose their files, then go to the original source, and use a card search engine like Card it to find matching evidence quickly.
Search evidence with Card it →
Step by step
- Search disclosed files. Public case archives contain evidence teams have already cut and shared.
- Go to the source. Open the original article or study, read the full context, and confirm the card is fair.
- Fill the gaps. Search scholarly databases, think tanks, government reports and reputable news for new cards.
- Cut what is missing. Cut new cards yourself with a tag and full citation.
Good places to look
- Public case archives and wikis where teams disclose their files.
- Scholarly databases and Google Scholar for peer-reviewed research.
- Think tanks, government agencies and international organizations.
- Reputable news and magazines for recent developments.
By event
Public Forum evidence is usually current-events and policy research. Lincoln-Douglas adds philosophy and ethics texts. Policy debate uses extensive academic and government sources. Card it has datasets for all three.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find debate cards?
Public case archives, scholarly databases, think tanks and search engines like Card it.
Is it okay to read cards from other teams’ files?
Check the source yourself and follow your league’s evidence and disclosure rules.
How do I know if evidence is credible?
Look at the author’s qualifications, the publication, the date and whether the passage supports the claim in context.
Related
Last updated September 26, 2026.