Constructing an Affirmative or Negative Case

1. Constructing an Affirmative or Negative Case I. Introduction A. Attention Getter B. State the resolution C. Define key terms D. Establish value/criteria E. Preview Contentions F. Observations (if any)

2. Attention Getter • Quotation, story, anecdote or historical example which outlines your general position • Make sure it relates directly to the topic • No longer than 15-20 seconds

3. State the Resolution • State the resolution verbatim • Negative should not offer a negative version • “I stand Resolved” “I affirm today’s resolution” • “I negate (oppose) the resolution”

4. Definitions • Define every major term • Use mainstream, accepted sources • Provide a clear understanding; don’t play games or twist definitions • Define major phrases together - “affirmative action” “gun control” “developing countries”

5. Value/Criterion • Value is the “good thing” obtained by affirming or negating the resolution • Criterion defines a method for achieving the value or for weighing one value against another

6. Preview • A statement foreshadowing your contentions • Identify your burden of proof and how you plan to meet it • “The affirmative will now demonstrate that term limits would be desirable because first, they would foster democracy; second, they would establish equality; and finally, they would decreasecorruption in government.”

7. Observations. . . • State what should be accepted facts which do not favor one side or the other • Are not arguments • Remind the judge of the parameters of the debate to pre-empt non-topical arguments

8. Constructing an Affirmative or Negative Case II. Body A. Use clear contentions B. Use short contentions C. Use evidence and your own reasoning to support contentions/subpoints D. Tie contentions to value/criteria

9. Steps in Argument Construction Step 1: The Claim Step 2: The Warrant Step 3: The Impact

10. The Claim • The statement of the argument or its main idea • Can be a contention tag or a sub-point under a contention • Answers the question • “What is my argument?”

11. The Claim - Example Resolved: Nuclear weapons’ testing is immoral. The Claim “Nuclear weapons’ testing harms innocent people”

12. The Warrant • Analysis (including evidence) for why the claim is valid • Answers the question: • “Why is the argument true?”

13. The Warrant - Example “Innocent people are affected by nuclear weapons’ testing due to radiation fallout. People living near testing sites during World War II’s Manhattan Project evidenced increased rates of cancer and other diseases as a result of exposure to radiation during testing.” (should include evidence at this point)

14. The Impact • Analysis telling us why the argument is important or what its ultimate impact is • Answers the question • “Why is the argument important?”

15. The Impact - Example “The supposed need for nuclear weapons does not justify putting innocent people at risk. A government is not justified in putting its own citizens in danger. Such a government would not only be illegitimate, but also immoral, thus rendering nuclear weapons’ testing immoral.”

16. Constructing an Affirmative or Negative Case III. Conclusion A. Summarize key points B. Ties back to attention getter or provides a concluding quotation. C. Ends with a call for the judge to affirm or negate the resolution.

17. Sample Affirmative Case Structure #1 Resolved: The Benefits of Genetic Engineering Outweigh the Harms. Value = Life Criteria = Consequentialism I. Genetic engineering prevents genetic diseases. II. Genetic engineering leads to cures for disease. III. Genetic engineering can wipe out hunger.

18. Sample Affirmative Case Structure #2 Resolved: That an oppressive government is more desirable than no government. Value = Order (Social Contract) Criteria = CBA I. Order is fundamental to mankind. II. Retaining order necessitates oppression. III. Without order, we lose human rights and justice.