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

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

3. 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.

4. 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.

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

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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?

12. 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?

13. 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)

14. 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?

15. 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.”

16. 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

17. 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.

18. 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

19. 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.

20. 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