Getting To Know Debate: The Resolution, The Affirmative & The Negative

Status Quo Present System Present Policy Present Beliefs Question To Ask: What’s going on RIGHT NOW with the topic?

The Two Sides Affirmative (Aff.) Negative (Neg.) Argues for the resolution/proposition Argues for the change Negative (Neg.) Responds to the Aff. by attacking and destroying arguments Argues for the present system that is in place.

What is a Resolution? Resolution / Proposition Defined as the formal statement of the topic of debate. The main resolution is the big umbrella topic. In each debate they will have a specific resolution that falls under the main resolution.

Resolutions Must Be… Significant Controversial Single Idea Debatability Worded Correctly Durable

2016-2017 Resolution RESOLVED: The United States federal government should substantially increase its economic and/or diplomatic engagement with the People’s Republic of China..

The Affirmative Burden of Proof Affirmative Responsibility The obligation to provide sufficient evidence and arguments to support a claim. Affirmative Responsibility To prove that the status quo is not working

Argument Structure Argument Claim Warrant Data Overall argument topic The point you are making in the argument Warrant The reasoning “why” behind your claim. “The Because” Data Evidence supporting the claim and warrant

The Affirmative Prima Facie Case “At First Site” An Aff. case that satisfactorily address all four stock issues and adequately covers all Neg. arguments and claims.

Stock Issues Harms/Advantages Inherency Harms: Advantages: Evils occurring in the world Advantages: Shows what good will come if the plan is put into action Ask the question: Are there significant harms/ills/needs within the present system? The reason why the status quo allows the harms to happen. Ask the question: Why and/or what is wrong or not working in the status quo relating to the harms?

Stock Issues Plan Solvency The course of action proposed to solve the problems within the status quo. Ask the questions: What do you to fix the problems? What’s your plan and solution? How you know your plan will work and the additional benefits of putting your plan into action. Ask the question: How are you going to prove that your plan is better?

Two Types of Evidence Factual Expert Opinion Verifiable statements that describe real objects and events. Examples: Statistics The sun rises in the East There is no mail delivery on Sundays The human body requires sleep Consists of authoritative statements that explain factual evidence. An expert interprets the meaning. Examples: A doctor or Ph.D. (Great) A high school student (Not so good)

Quick Review – Without Looking What is status quo? What are the four stock issues? What is Prima Facie Case? What does burden of proof mean? What are two types of evidence?

The Negative Responds to the arguments and claims made by the Aff. team. Neg. teams must respond to all of the stock issues presented by the Aff. team. Provides additional evidence showing why status quo is “ok.”

The Negative Responses Disadvantages (DA) Topicality (T) The Neg. claim that the Aff. plan will cause serious disadvantages and that we are better off staying with the status quo. DA’s Include: Link Brink Impact Uniqueness A negative claim that the Aff. case violates a term in the resolution. T’s Include: Definition Violation Standards Voter

Disadvantages Link Brink Impact Uniqueness How it the DA relates to the Aff. Case. Brink What in the Aff. Plan is going to make the DA occur And the TIMELINE Impact The bad things that will be caused by the Aff. Plan Uniqueness How the DA will only occur if and when the Aff. Plan takes effect.

Topicality Definition Violation Standards Voter Define the word from the resolution Violation Explain why the Aff. Plan does not meet the Neg. definition Standards Explanations and methods of evaluation that should be used in that round regarding definition Voter Demonstrating abuse by other team giving reason for judge to vote

Two Terms To Know On Case Off Case Stock Issue Arguments Brought up by Aff. Team Arguments that make THE CASE for why the status quo should change. Arguments that are NOT considered ‘Stock Issues’ Brought up by Neg. Team Arguments presented that take THE CASE OFF of the Aff. And move it to the Neg.

How Do Aff. & Neg. Respond? Negative Responses Affirmative Responses Topicality Disadvantages On Case Clash Against Stock Issues Answer Topicality Answer Disadvantage On Case Clash Supporting Stock Issues Refuting Neg. Clash