What is the difference between "constructive" and "rebuttal" speeches?

The distinction between constructive and rebuttal speeches lies primarily in their purposes within the debate format. Constructive speeches are designed to lay out the initial arguments and evidence supporting a team’s position on the topic being debated. They establish the framework for the debate by presenting key points, outlining the team's stance, and providing supporting materials.

Rebuttal speeches, on the other hand, focus on responding to the arguments presented by the opposing side. In these speeches, debaters analyze and critique the opponent’s points, providing counterarguments and evidence aimed at dismantling the opposing team's case. This process is vital, as it reinforces a team's position while addressing and challenging the arguments made against them.

This differentiation in purpose highlights why the second option is correct: constructive speeches introduce a team's arguments, while rebuttal speeches are specifically meant to counter those arguments made by the opposition in the context of the ongoing debate. The other options fail to accurately capture this fundamental role each type of speech plays in the overall structure of a debate.