Aff+Strategy

Choosing your aff

Something of interest to you (K vs. policy) – keep in mind the judging pool where you usually debate

Big vs. small Big case – big school, lots of research, fast, enjoy big impact debates Small case – good at explaining why things don’t link, slow, persuasive

Strategic considerations – what arguments are you most worried about losing on – need a good, specific reason the US is key, also good to have specific answers to major disads

T – can have a strategic advantage but an easy way to lose Lose on T/lose because of T Make sure you are VERY PREPARED on T argument

Writing the 1AC

Needs to go together with a clear, coherent story – make sure there are all of the necessary internal links Make your 1AC cross-x proof – anticipate possible objections Tags can be longer and more explanatory in the 1AC but make sure there is a short, flowable label at the beginning of your tag – The US is key – they are the largest consumers of fossil fuels Avoid redundancy Deemphasize inherency – neg is not likely to answer inherency – they need your case to be inherent for DAs to be unique Inherency args can be links to DAs – plan not done now means it’s unpopular now Emphasize your advantages – should be the majority of the 1AC – make sure you can outweigh DAs Put longer cards in the 1AC that you don’t have time to read in other speeches Make sure the 1AC is not redundant – if you have multiple cards that say the same thing, they should have necessary warrants – don’t highlight all of the good parts of each card – start from the question what do we need to prove and underline/highlight things in from there – but 1AC cards shouldn’t be insanely short either Pick 1AC cards and arguments to preempt likely/common neg arguments -your solvency contention should have several cards on the US is key -your advantage should have cards you can use to outweigh disads -if there are common case takeouts, make sure you have 1 card in the 1AC to answer them Multi-purpose cards -use cards creatively for more than one purpose – inherency cards can be used as T cards, DA non-uniques (funding now, but it’s not enough or is allocated badly), CP preempts (X country is trying to solve the problem now but is failing) -If some cards in your 1AC don’t get extended frequently in the 2AC, you should strongly consider taking them out or replacing them -You should change the 1AC often – replace with newer, better, or more useful cards

Remember that everything you put in the 1AC is a possible link to negative positions – go through everything in the 1AC making SURE you can defend it – if not, take it out -don’t have politics links in the 1AC -don’t have any cards that suggest that other countries could solve

Write your plan carefully -Base your plan on your solvency cards – the more closely they match, the better you will be able to answer counterplans -Anticipate possible PICs and make sure you can answer each part – if the plan gives prevention AND treatment, make sure you can defend that both are necessary – make sure eyou don’t have any cards in the 1AC that 1 of the 2 is sufficient -Avoid acronyms and use the active voice -Don’t put the whole resolution in your plan text – it just gives the neg PIC ground -Unless you have a defense of your agent, don’t specify your agent

Read through the whole 1AC several times to make sure it’s clear and understandable

CX of 1AC Pay attention – clues to what arguments they plan on reading (turn up in the accordion) Don’t interrupt unless absolutely necessary

What to do during the 1NC Build a fortress – all accordions should be readily accessible Don’t stand up – your partner should get and read the other team’s ev and pull other stuff you need out of tubs Pull blocks out as you hear args Flow functionally – only write down args you need – NEED TO PAY ATTENTION THE WHOLE TIME Should have blocks pulled by the time the 1NC is over – use CX to prep case args, pull cards from other files and places (like to answer impacts), and figure out how to answer new args

1NC CX Pay attention – your partner should ask questions about the logical flaws in args – don’t count until you talk about them

After the CX – take a little time to consult with your partner and let them tell you any args you should make or args you should make sure to answer, inform them of anything drastic you plan on doing Leave all flows you’re not using with your partner so they can backflow faster Don’t be afraid to take the prep time you need to get organized and make sure you have everything you need – last opportunity to make new args

2AC strategy Preparation before the tournament can save you time during the debate – blocks (even for case args) Don’t rely too much on blocks - Number arguments – easier for judge, 1AR Balance time allocation – decide before how much time per page, practice sticking to that plan Order matters – T first, then case, then CPs/kritiks, then DAs from best to worst Diversity is key – offense and defense (don’t undersell defense, should almost never straight turn) – remember to win a link turn you also have to prove non-unique – DON’T be redundant – save other stuff as extensions Prioritize best args Analytical arguments are key – should be about 1 analytical for every 2 cards (or more) on each position – have your partner skim their cards to give you ideas – point out missing internal links, lack of author qualifications, things that don’t make sense, contradictions, examples that empirically disprove – can save cards to read in the 1AR if necessary – good way to get rid of bad DAs without investing much time but without leaving yourself vulnerable Be flowable – don’t put too many analyticals together and have flowable tags Use your 1AC – should rarely need to read new case cards if written well, also use against other off-case arguments Be efficient on case – don’t waste much time referencing their arguments

Answering DAs Attack as many parts of the DA as possible – esp IL and UQ Have an impact accordion (new DAs) Begin impact calculus Link turning is better than impact turning

Answer CPs ALWAYS perm 0-2 theory args

Answering Ks ALWAYS Alt doesn’t solve ALWAYS perm ALWAYS answer the impact

1AR Can’t waste any time Prioritize best args – circle ones on each flow with a couple extras in mind if you have time Diversity less important, develop depths, read more cards if necessary Talk to your partner about 1AR strategy!!! Flow well and make sure they don’t drop key args

2AR More about story – don’t lose sight of the big picture and your case Prioritize your best offense, then their best offense Should have a substantial amount of evidence comparison – you should have read or skimmed all of their cards by now Limit overviews to what can’t be done on the line-by-line – good to have if you are pointing out relationships between arguments Make sure to answer all important 2NR arguments – you have time so use it well Prioritize even more – usually a couple of arguments extended in the 1AR aren’t worth going for – like theory, etc.