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- You will be affirmative (for
the resolution) in one debate and negative (against the affirmative) in
the other debate.
- For the
affirmative, do this:
Take
your position on the resolution. If the topic is for affirmative action,
then take your position in favor of affirmative action.
List out and give support for two to four reasons in favor of your
position. Give examples, logic, etc. to support each of your reasons.
Think through what the negative is going to say against you and think
through responses to those arguments.
- For the negative side, do this:
Think
through what positions the affirmative might take in favor of the
resolution.
Think through what arguments the affirmative might present in favor of
their position and mentally prepare responses to those arguments (you
can write down notes on those too).
Think through your own arguments against the affirmative
position—show that it would be bad; that it would be harmful.
Further, consider: would a different way of changing things be superior
to the change supported by the affirmative? If so, argue for that. For
example, if the affirmative is going to argue for nuclear power to
provide energy—you could argue for solar power instead.
- NOTE: In Inexperienced and
Intermediate Division, you may not present debate theory arguments (e.g.
ASPEC), generic disadvantages or kritiks. You MUST argue against the
specific affirmative case presented against you (e.g. if they say solar
power is good; you need to argue against solar power). You can argue
that the affirmative case does not follow the resolution.
- Get a sponsor from the
speech and debate team. Your sponsor will help you prepare your case,
practice, etc. To get a sponsor, just ask any member of the speech and
debate team. You can contact them from this web page: Speech and Debate Team Members.
You can also show up
at Hunter Conservatory Foyer by 4:25 p.m. the day of the tournament.
Frequently, a debater will be there to help you prepare for your debates.
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