1. POLICY DEBATE Will look like CX on the sign up sheet

2. WHAT IS POLICY? Policy debate is a comparison of two worlds Policy debate is a comparison of two worlds World one is the aff, where the resolution is a true statement and the plan happens World one is the aff, where the resolution is a true statement and the plan happens World two is the neg, where the resolution is a false statement and the plan doesn’t happen and the world is better because of not enacting the plan – this is called the status quo World two is the neg, where the resolution is a false statement and the plan doesn’t happen and the world is better because of not enacting the plan – this is called the status quo We’re trying to determine which world we’d rather live in We’re trying to determine which world we’d rather live in

3. Policy debate is a question of action – what policy action should the United States take? Policy debate is a question of action – what policy action should the United States take? Policy resolutions always start with “The United States Federal Government should…” so the agent of action is always the USFG. Therefore what ever plan you develop is limited to something that can be enacted via the U.S. Policy resolutions always start with “The United States Federal Government should…” so the agent of action is always the USFG. Therefore what ever plan you develop is limited to something that can be enacted via the U.S.

4. THE FORMAT OF A POLICY ROUND 1 AC (Affirmative Constructive) 8 minutes1 NR (Negative Rebuttal) 5 minutes 1 AC (Affirmative Constructive) 8 minutes1 NR (Negative Rebuttal) 5 minutes CX 3 minutes1 AR (Affirmative Rebuttal) 5 minutes CX 3 minutes1 AR (Affirmative Rebuttal) 5 minutes 1 NC (Neg Constructive) 8 minutes2 NR 5 minutes 1 NC (Neg Constructive) 8 minutes2 NR 5 minutes CX 3 minutes2 AR 5 minutes CX 3 minutes2 AR 5 minutes 2 AC 8 minutes 2 AC 8 minutes CX 3 minutes 5 minutes worth of Prep time for each team CX 3 minutes 5 minutes worth of Prep time for each team 2 NC 8 minutes 2 NC 8 minutes CX 3 minutes CX 3 minutes

5. THE RESOLUTION RESOLVED: THE USFG SHOULD SUBSTANTIALLY INCREAS ITS NON –MILITARY EXPLORATION AND /OR DEVELOPMENT OF THE EARTH’S OCEANS The Affirmative does not simply stand up and state the resolution must be implemented but must also include the how or the plan. For the Novice division there are 5 (plan text areas) that are selected each year by a state by state basis in the fall. The Affirmative does not simply stand up and state the resolution must be implemented but must also include the how or the plan. For the Novice division there are 5 (plan text areas) that are selected each year by a state by state basis in the fall. This year the plan text areas are as follows: This year the plan text areas are as follows: 1. The USFG should increase offshore aquaculture development 1. The USFG should increase offshore aquaculture development 2. The USFG should increase incentives for offshore wind energy development 2. The USFG should increase incentives for offshore wind energy development 3. The USFG should substantially increase its exploration of the Earth’s Ocean floor 3. The USFG should substantially increase its exploration of the Earth’s Ocean floor 4. The USFG should fund the development of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion plants 4. The USFG should fund the development of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion plants 5. The USFG should ratify the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 5. The USFG should ratify the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea

6. TERMS YOU MUST KNOW AKA PREPARE FOR A QUIZ Fiat: the affirmative right to state that the affirmative plan will come into existence for the purposes of debating its workability and potential disadvantages. The aff must always claim fiat. Fiat: the affirmative right to state that the affirmative plan will come into existence for the purposes of debating its workability and potential disadvantages. The aff must always claim fiat. Prima Facie Case: the concept that the affirmative must present sufficient evidence and analysis to warrant acceptance of the resolution prior to counter arguments. Prima Facie Case: the concept that the affirmative must present sufficient evidence and analysis to warrant acceptance of the resolution prior to counter arguments. Topicality: the plan presented by the aff must be topical. Or in other words it must accomplish exactly what the resolution says Topicality: the plan presented by the aff must be topical. Or in other words it must accomplish exactly what the resolution says Harms: lists what is wrong with the current status quo. Basically why the plan is needed Harms: lists what is wrong with the current status quo. Basically why the plan is needed

7. Inherency: The barrier that keeps the status quo from achieving the affirmative. The barriers that keep the harms from being solved. Inherency: The barrier that keeps the status quo from achieving the affirmative. The barriers that keep the harms from being solved. Solvency: how the plan you want to enact, solves the harms you presented. Solvency: how the plan you want to enact, solves the harms you presented. Plan: what is your mechanism for solving the harms, must implement the resolution Plan: what is your mechanism for solving the harms, must implement the resolution Advantages: what extra bonuses or advantages do you get from enacting the plan. Hint this is not just solving for the harms already listed Advantages: what extra bonuses or advantages do you get from enacting the plan. Hint this is not just solving for the harms already listed

8. Internal link Internal link Internal link impact: Internal link impact: Brink: Brink: Uniqueness: What the plan does to change the status quo Uniqueness: What the plan does to change the status quo Normal means spending: Normal means spending:

9. GENERATE A LIST OF POTENTIAL HARMS Resolution: The USFG should increase its transportation infrastructure. Resolution: The USFG should increase its transportation infrastructure. (create a list of 9 possible problems that you can argue exist in the status quo that would be solved by implementing the resolution). (create a list of 9 possible problems that you can argue exist in the status quo that would be solved by implementing the resolution).

10. INHERENCY Barriers that prevent the harms from being solved and means inseparable from the Status Quo