8/7/2019 Debsoc Genius Kit - How to Build a Good Case (1)
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Debsoc Genius Kit:
How to build an awesome case
1) Before you do anything READ THE TOPIC.Like, actually
READ.
o Read the topic carefully to figure out what the problem is in
the debate.Fancy debaters call it the imperative. You cant make any
decentarguments unless you know what that is.
o Figure out what the clash in the debate. The clash is the
point where the
two sides fundamentally cannot agree, because it comes down
tofoundational ideological principles. Fortunately for you, the
clash is oftensomething like this:
Individual vs Society Government vs Individual Choice vs
Government decision making Environment vs Economy Womens rights v
Economy / Business Autonomy
o Look out for key words to see if that gives away what the
debate is about.Key debates are:
Rights debates. Is this a debate aboutr i g h t s
/privileges,choice? Is there a call to justify government
intervention to
infringe these rights?
Criminalization debates. Is it asking us toc r i m i n a l i z e
orban something?
Positive discrimination debates. Is this
aquota/subsidy/affirmative action/p o s i t i v e d i s c r i m i n
a t i o n debate?
2) Go hard. Or go home, you cry baby.
Be ideologically consistent; dont undermine yourself by taking a
soft line.You dont sound like you believe in what you are
saying.
3) What do when you are thinking: Fuck! I dont have
anyarguments!
o Dont panic, you fool. The topic has been set because there are
argumentsin it for both sides. Dah.
