At any point in the following, if the step you're on isn't working, go back to the preceding step.
1. Boil the resolution down to the simplest elements
What are the aff and
neg about?
What is your strategy?
What are you going
to argue?
Until you have this, you have nothing. If you don't understand your cases, who will?
2. Define the sides
Start with one side and write down that side's objective
In one all-encompassing
sentence.
When you've got that,
all you have to do is explain why.
Do the same for the opposite side
Boil it down to one
all-encompassing sentence.
The rest of the work is easy -- explaining those sentences.
3. Focus in on your value before writing your case
You want to uphold a value
A clear case has a
direction, and the value provides that direction
Always decide what
direction you want to go before starting a journey!
It is possible that you can write a whole case and come up with the value later. It's sort of like writing backwards, using the writing process to clarify your thoughts. That's okay, if that clarification is what you're really doing, but don't just do it because you don't understand values.
Never forget: Judges -- even "non-value" judges -- always like a case that clearly supports the stated value.
4. Focus in on the criterion
How are you going to reach your value?
This is what you're
going to try to prove in your case; the means of achieving your value is
the criterion.
In effect, your criterion gives you the reason why your value is worth upholding.
The criterion contains
the "Why?" you should always be asking yourself.
5. Now all we have to do is write it out to convince the judge.
Write down your one all-encompassing sentence.
Explain and define your Value.
Explain and define your Criterion.
What you'll do for the rest of the case is take it step by step, analyzing what you've already said in your all-encompompassing sentence, using your value and criterion to provide the foundations of your explanation: that's what a case is all about. All you do, while building a case, is explain the sentence you originally came up with.
6. Add opening
Put in a short, relevant quote from a good source.
Good sources:
A philosopher whose
writings support your side
A relevant expert
from good articles/books you've worked on in your research.
Often a good "expert"
quote is more impressive; it makes it sound like you've really dug.
What are some bad sources?
Alternative rock bands,
films, Homer Simpson, etc.
Remember, the first thing the judge hears from you is your quote.
Try to make a good
first impression.
Next, define the necessary terms.
Defining entire concepts
is usually better than defining simple words
Defining a concept
in a resulution explains how the round might go.
Definitions must be
fair to both sides.
Prepare definitions for aff and neg, but only use the neg defs if your opponent has questionable defs. Otherwise say, "I accept my opponent's definitions."
7. Do a preliminary timing of what you've done If you have the space, that is, over a minute remaining, you may need another contention -- although never more than 3 altogether. If you've got more than 3, you've got a shopping list, not a debate case.
If you have less than a minute, just remember to expand your ideas when you're rewriting -- and don't read your case too fast!
Need a third contention? After you've said good stuff about your side, look at the alternative, i.e., point out the bad results of choosing the other side of the resolution. NOTE: If a res is an evaluation of two goods, don't made the other one sound bad.
8. Practice
Read your case aloud and time it. Note anything you have trouble reading; either rewrite that part in more comfortable wording or practice it more (your call). Adjust for time; trim or add as necessary. Any case that doesn't use all the available time is not as good as one that does.
9. Rewrite it.
Then rewrite it
Then rewrite it
1 K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Stupid)
Your little brother or sister ought to be able to understand your case.
2. Boil it down to one all-encompassing sentence
Then explain that sentence until it's the length of a constructive.
3. Logic convinces judges, assertions do nothing for anybody
Every line flows from the previous line, and answers the question, Why? A case is an explanation, therefore, explain everything.
4. Research
You can kid yourself that you don't need to research. You do.
5. Consult the relevant philosophers
Every topic usually has its philosophical framework. Find it and consult it.
6. Don't run it if you don't understand it
If you can't explain the social contract, e.g., avoid it. Similarly, avoid any concept you sort of heard but really don't know -- you won't be able to stand up to the heat. And don't forget, if you sense your opponent doesn't know what he's talking about, use this as a strategy against him.
7. Show your cases to the experts
Show your coach, show the varsity debaters, show each other. Get others' ideas, see if you can incorporate them.