TOPICALITY

What is Topicality? As the first stock issue of the Debate Case, Topicality defines the words in the resolution and other important words from the debate case.

Why is Topicality important? 1) Topicality lays the foundation for the rest of the debate by giving the Negative team the idea of what to expect in the debate case. 2) Topicality limits what is debated during the round by providing a Bright Line of what is considered topical and what isnt.

How do you prove Topicality? The rest of the debate case must correspond with the definitions presented in Topicality.

What words should be defined? The important words in the Resolution should be defined. This is the 2009-2010 debate resolution:

Bright Lines: This definition is too broad. This definition is too constricting. This definition is Just Right! When looking for definitions, you have to be very careful with which definition to use. If the definition is too vague, then we say it does not have a bright line. In

order for the definition to have a bright line, the Affirmative team must present a definition that is not vague or constricting.

Field Contextuality: Websters vs. An Agency! A good definition can come from any source: Dictionary, Encyclopedia, even Books. But a definition may have better Field Contextuality if it comes from a source that is knowledgeable in the certain field.

Resolutional Intent: What do the COACHES say? The last important issue in the stock issue of Topicality is Resolutional Intent. When you JOIN (which I encourage all of you to do!) the debate class, and when this years resolution is announced, the leagues website (www.ccofse.com) will have a page about the Resolutional Intent. The purpose of the Resolutional Intent is to explain what the debate cases should focus on.

Lastly, here is a fantastic website that will provide you with several definitions from various websites of almost any word/words: www.onelook.com