Lincoln- Douglas

Building your arguments.  Each argument makes a statement of a possible truth  Gives support for that argument in terms of some reason why this argument is true  Explicitly explains the importance of this argument in terms of how the argument proves their position true or how the implication of the argument affects people.

 Analytical warrants: logical reasons for the ruth of the argument  Empirical warrants: examples and statistics from real world examples  Psychological warrants: describe incentive structures for how people tend to act in certain situations and are often backed up with psychological studies.

Statement of Value  What is the difference between “statement of value” and a “statement of fact”?  What ought to be true rather than what is true  “justice” & morality vs. everyday politics & society  More subjective vs. facts more objective

Affirm a statement of value?  What does it mean to stand in support of, or affirm, a statement of value?  What is the difference between proving a statement true vs. affirming a statement of value?  Declare a statement true means that the speaker is making a categorical (or absolute) staement about the resolution  If aff had this burden, they would have to prove that there are NO exceptions to the statement

Instead  Aff needs to show that the statement is true “as a matter of principal” or as a general case and though there are small exceptions, these aren’t so large as to invalidate the overall claim being made

Negate  To negate a resolution means to prove, on balance or in an overriding portion of situations, that the action that the resolution posits violates the nature of the evaluative method supplied but the resolution  Negative show specific arguments provided by the aff are either not sufficient to uphold the resolution or are not true in and of themselves.

Resolution  What would we need to logically prove or know to affirm or negate this resolution?  What burdens are placed upon the Aff due to the text of the resolution.  To stand in support you must first analyze the text of the resolution

Effective Textual Analysis 1. Definitions 2. Type of resolution 3. Context 4. Actor or action of the resolution 5. Recognition of the evaluative term of the resolution

Definitions  Define certain phrases together  Due process vs “due” “process”

Types of resolutions 1. comparative (‘x” is more desirable than “y”) 2. Absolute (“x’ action is just) 3. Superlative (“x” is the best form of government)

Comparative Resolutions  Examine both ideas that are in contrast and explain the comparative benefits of one of the two options.  Show why one ought to preference one thing as opposed to another thing  Show why benefits of the option they are upholding are comparably better than the benefits of the other option and thet the harms of their side are not as severe as the harms of the opposing side.

Absolute Resolution  Uphold a general principle and prove that it is, on balance, correct.  Prove that in most cases the action or idea bein

Case Construction  Introduction: start with an attention-getter (quote, historical ex., etc.) Tie the attention- getter to the topic at hand (what you will be discussing today). State the resolution.  Definitions: define key words in the resolution, stating the source for each definition.  Value: Offer a value that supports your side of the resolution. A common approach is to say:  “Today I will be valuing _______________”  Discuss why it is your value and how it ties to the resolution. Give quote or examples that support the value.

Case Construction Cont.  Criterion: think about your value  Remember the 3 functions of a criterion  What kind of criterion do you need for your value  Do you need to limit your value?  Do you need a means to achieve your value?  Do you need to provide a measure of your success in upholding the value?  Pick a function for your criterion, then transition from your value to your criterion by saying, “In order to achieve/limit/measure the success of upholding this value, I offer ______________ as my criterion.”  Give a quote or example that supports the criterion.

 Contention 1: Usually dedicated to establishing your value as the dominant, most important value in the round.  Ex: with a value of Liberty: “Contention 1: Liberty is paramount”  Warrant  Impact  Contention 2: Usually connects value to criterion.  Ex: w/ value of Liberty: “Contention 2: Liberty is achieved when Life is upheld.”  Warrant  Impact

 Contention 3: Usually used to tie value/criterion to resolution.  Ex: “Contention 3: International aid helps protect Life, therefore advance Liberty.”  Conclusion: Brief paragraph summarizing why your stance on the resolution, you value and criterion, and your reasoning as to why you believe the justification is true/false in light of your applications and support.

Negative Case Construction  4 point refutation  Identify: the argument you are addressing.  Ex: “My opponent’s 1 st argument was that Privacy is undervalued in our society.”  Respond: to the argument with your own argument.  Ex: “ I believe that Privacy is being value correctly in our society.  Sometimes you will agree with the statement the Aff made so you would instead show how it helps your case

4 Point Refutation Cont.  Support: your argument.  Ex: “An example of Privacy being valued correctly in our society can be seen with lawsuits against wiretapping.”  Impact: show how it affects your case, your opponent’s case, or the resolution itself.  Ex: “Since Justice is valued correctly in our society, my opponent’s case lacks justification, and I should win.”