1. WELCOME TO DEBATE!
Negative Basics

2. NEGATIVE basics
If you can convince the judge that passing the affirmative plan is a bad idea, you will win the debate. Essentially, you need to prove that the status quo is better than the affirmative plan.
To do this, you need to prove that the disadvantages of the aff plan are larger than the advantages.

3. How to prepare the 1NC
You know that there are only a limited number of possible cases that can be read by the affirmative teams. You should familiarize yourself with all of the 1ACs so that none of your debates take you by surprise.
Against each case, you need to think about a winning strategy:
At least one DA that links to the affirmative
Defense on the case that is adequate to reduce the aff case to a small enough size that the DA is able to outweigh—you should look at cards in the packet and also brainstorm logical arguments

4. How to prepare the 1NC
Let’s look at one of the cases in the packet. What DA do you think is best?
Make sure that it links
Think about whether it turns the case (always a bonus)
Think about whether the impact is large enough to outweigh the case

5. How to prepare the 1NC
With the same case, can you think of any logical arguments that you might use to attack the harms or solvency? A few questions that might help you think of common arguments:
Is the solvency substantial enough to overcome the harms outlined in the 1AC?
Would there be any obstacles in getting from the plan to the solvency?
Are the harms exaggerated?
Is any of the evidence outdated, unqualified, or mis-tagged?
Advanced… do any of the cards in the 1AC help you to set up one of your DAs?

6. How to prepare the 1NC
You should also think about how quickly the 1N can speak. Keep in mind that you need a minimum of one DA + case. If the 1N is faster, you might add more case defense or a second DA.
You know that you need to be prepped against each case so you should practice the 1NCs and figure out how to pack in as many arguments as possible without running out of time. Practice with a timer!
The 2N should also practice reading the 1NCs so that they learn about the strategy and to work on fluency.
Make sure that you are not mispronouncing any words (that hurts your credibility).

7. How to prepare the 2NC/1NR
The goal of the 2NC/1NR (negative block) is to win arguments that you began in the 1NC.
You should NOT read new positions in the block. It is not cheating or anything but you are simply more likely to win if you have more deeply developed positions.
Both partners need to carefully flow the 2AC. It is essential that you get down every 2AC argument because if you miss an argument, the aff team automatically wins that point.

8. How to prepare the 2NC/1NR
The 2NC and the 1NR should go point by point through the 2AC and respond to EACH point. Use both evidence and analysis. If the 2AC made a really good argument, focus on it more. If they made a nit-picky or irrelevant argument, say why it does not matter and move on.
The 2NC and 1NR should NOT cover the same positions. You can switch this up depending on the specific situation but a good basic division is:
2NC builds on case arguments
1NR builds on the DAs

9. How to prepare the 2NC/1NR
The person extending the DA needs to keep in mind that the ultimate goal is to argue that the risk of the DA outweighs the risk of the case impact. Risk = magnitude x probability.
To further this goal, you should begin your coverage of the DA with an overview that gives the judge reasons why the DA outweighs the case.
It is also very helpful if you can make arguments about why the DA turns the case in the overview as well.

10. How to prepare the 2NR
The 2NR needs to begin with the following line, “The risk of the DA outweighs the risk of the case because… .”
Then, proceed to cover every point made by the 1AR on the arguments that you plan to extend.
You do not need to advance every argument that you started in the 1NC. Your goal is to create a winning package (win all of a DA and win enough defense on the case that the risk of the DA outweighs the case).
Let’s write an overview that argues that the DA you selected earlier outweighs the case. Use your risk assessment vocabulary from an earlier unit.