Definition
A flow is the structured, shorthand note-taking system debaters use to track every argument made during a round, speech by speech, so that later speeches can respond to specific points accurately instead of relying on memory. Most debaters organize a flow in columns, one per speech, with arguments lined up horizontally so a claim and every response to it can be traced across the whole round at a glance.
Example
A debater's flow might show, in one row: the original claim in column one, the opponent's rebuttal in column two, and their own response to that rebuttal in column three, all connected by an arrow so it is clear which argument each entry answers. During a closing speech, they can scan the flow and immediately see which of the opponent's points were never actually answered.
Common mistakes
New debaters often write down what they personally think is important rather than what was actually said, which produces a flow that does not match the real round. Another common mistake is flowing only the opponent's speeches and not one's own, which makes it hard to track whether your own arguments were dropped or successfully defended. A complete flow captures both sides of every exchange.