180 likes | 296 Views
Affirmative Strategy. Austin Layton. Overview. At least, take two things from this lecture Main Advantage of Being Aff : Familiarity Preparation Matters Practice Matters Three-Move Game : Always have an idea how are you going to win the debate.
E N D
Affirmative Strategy Austin Layton
Overview • At least, take two things from this lecture • Main Advantage of Being Aff: Familiarity • Preparation Matters • Practice Matters • Three-Move Game: Always have an idea how are you going to win the debate
Defining Negative Strategy and Choosing an Aff Part I: Writing the affirmative
Defining the Negative’s Strategy What is the negative’s approach? --What does the resolution tell us? --What is the predictable negative ground?
Choosing the Affirmative What are the strategic decisions? There are always trade-offs: --Main literature aff versus squirrely aff --Avoiding core ground versus topicality Advantages – taste or preference
What goes into the First Affirmative Constructive? Part II: The 1AC
How Many Advantages? One to Two 3 or More Advantages Pros --Run and gun style --Pressures the negative Cons --Complex --Lack of development --Susceptible to neg strategy Pros --Focus and development --More evidence --Simple Cons --Lack of diversity --Stale and boring
How To Write the Plan Is there a strategy to writing the plan? --Word choice is important (PICs, DAs and topicality) --Do not include unnecessary resolution words Ex: The USFG should substantially increase economic engagement to Cuba by authorizing joint oil contracts between the United States and Cuba. --Specificity necessitates a defense
Pre-Empt the Negative How can you save time for the 2AC? -Include Common Case Cards in the 1AC -Include Common CP Answers in the 1AC (US Key, Certainty Key, Etc.) Impact calculus: build the value of 1AC impacts relative to predictable negative impact claims. --High probability, magnitude outweighs… --Environment affs & Mandelbaum Answer common neg arguments: removes the time needed in the 2AC. (Maduro/Venezuela example)
Defending Your House Part III: The 2AC
Assess the 1NC Strategy What are they trying to do? --Counterplans and their net benefits --Is topicality a viable option --What DA’s must defend the status quo How could the strategy develop? Can you isolate or limit the negative strategy? Ex: Three-Off (China CP, Politics DA, China DA) and Two Arguments on Each Advantage. What does the neg HAVE to go for?
Add-Ons, Add-Ons, Add-Ons! An add-on is a smaller advantage that describes a benefit of the affirmative plan. What? Obama Credibility Add-on. What is this Useful Against? Why? --Increases pressure on the negative team --Access negative impacts in the debate --Affirmative safety net Where?On almost any flow.
How To Order the 2AC • Topicality – if you lose this, the debate is over. • Your Case – this is your offense. There are many others like it. But this one is yours. • Counterplans/Kritiks – this can solve all your offense. • Disadvantages – if you undercover these positions, you can still win the debate if you did a good job from 1-3.
Other Tips Write Blocks and Backflow Just do it
Tips on How to Answer… Topicality --Always have a counter-interpretation. Counterplans --Theory --Always have a perm. Disadvantages --Prioritize impact defense --Access their impact
1AR Tips • Ask your 2A, what argument do you want to go for? • Put Pressure on the 2NR • Theory arguments have increased value • Pick and Choose, But Be Diverse • Straight Turn arguments • Read Evidence on Crucial Questions • Politics Uniqueness • Solvency/CP Deficit
2AR Tips • Consult with the 1A, but you are the captain and you pick what argument you go for? • Don’t Spend Time on Arguments that Don’t Win You the Debate • Theory arguments have decreased value, unless it is all of the 2AR • Pick and Choose, But Be Decisive • Ex. 20 secs on three arguments or 1 min on one argument • Don’t read evidence, argument should be development • Tell a Story, Make “Even-if” Statements