In a Public Forum Debate, what is framework?

In a Public Forum Debate, the framework is like the rule book or the lens through which the judges evaluate the arguments. It lays out the criteria for deciding the winner and helps to keep the debate focused and on track. Essentially, it's the structure or the 'skeleton' that guides the debate. Each team has the opportunity to propose a framework in their case, and disagreements over the framework can become a significant part of the debate. So, it's a crucial component, setting the stage for the entire discourse.