Plan 1.Introducing the team 2.Case: Theme; actuality; importance Definitions Criteria Arguments + explanations + support/evidence (examples, statistics, quotes) Summarizing 3.Crucial arguments 4.Rebuttal

Case Building 1.Theme : A theme is a single, short sentence that explains the main idea behind your case. The purpose of a theme is to show the 'big picture' behind your argumentation and its importance/actuality. Every speaker should (possibly repeatedly) state the theme in his/her speech. 2.Definition : The purpose of a definition is not so much to explain what the words of the motion mean in general, but rather what they mean in the context of your debate. 3.Framework : In some cases, especially for complicated topics, is makes sense for a proposition to explicitly name criteria the arguments of your debate should be judged upon. This is called a framework and can be used to limit the „battleground“ of your debate. 4.Arguments: 3(2) individual reasons that support your side. Also think about how to support it. 5.Crucial arguments : Sometimes there are some single arguments that are absolutely crucial for your side of the debate. Make sure you identify those and prepare to defend them.

How to make an argument: 1. Label - a single sentence that can be used when referring to the argument; particularly useful for adjudicators, so speak slowly. 2. Explanation - theoretical reasoning explaining why the argument is true. This part should lead the audience to wonder: „OK, this sounds good, but is it actually true in real life?“ 3. Evidence - one or two pieces of evidence showing that the argument is not merely theoretical; should lead the audience to wonder: „Alright, this must be true, but how does it support your case?“; evidence may consist of: examples (current events, past events, history) statistics quotes... weak evidence: personal experience, hypothetic examples. 4. Summary (link) - shows how what you just proved supports your side of the debate; throughout a lengthy argument, the audience may well lose track of what connects your reasoning to the motion, so this can be of crucial importance.

Argument #1 Evidence ExamplesStatisticsQuotes Explanation/ Justification Summary Argument #2 Evidence ExamplesStatisticsQuotes Explanation/ Justification Summary Argument #1 Evidence ExamplesStatisticsQuotes Explanation/ Justification Summary

ne xt Theme:………………… ……………………………. Definitions:………… Criteria……………… Argument for #1 Label: Explanation: Evidence: Link (summary): Argument for #2 Label: Explanation: Evidence: Link (summary): Argument for #3 Label: Explanation: Evidence: Link (summary): Argumentation!

ne xt Theme:………………… ……………………………. Definitions:………… Criteria……………… Argument against #1 Label: Why don’t agree: How to overcome: Argument against #2 Label: Why don’t agree: How to overcome: Argument against #3 Label: Why don’t agree: How to overcome: Questions Rebuttal!

Argument for Explanation Evidence ExamplesStatisticsQuotes #1 #2 #3 Argument againstHow to overcome/ Why don’t agree #1 #2 #3 Affirmative arguments Crucial arguments Rebuttal Argument againstQuestions #1 #2 #3

Split: how the arguments are distributed between the speakers (and why) and how they depend on / build upon each other

Rebuttal: Think of some fundamental points of the opposing side and find ways of attacking them. Also know in advance how to defend your own points.