What to do during preperation?

Understand what the topic is actually about (or referes to)

☐ by looking at the context around the topic and

☐ analyzing the topic itself (focusing on the intent of the topic)

Determine what type of motion you’re working with

Policy (Problem-Solution) ☐ Value (Evaluative)☐ Fact☐

If the topic is a Policy topic; you need to do the following:

(TH would *implement policy X* ex. THW invade Iraq)

☐ a. Identify the problem that exists

Focus on the status quo and outline

☐ Trends,

☐ Norms, and

☐ Tipping Points

☐ b. Identify an actor who can (and should) solve this problem

☐ c. Identify the solution for the problem

(Avoid the problem-solution gap by providing sufficient detail about how the solution will
work.)

☐ Create a model

Use a pre-existing model

Modify a pre-existing model

Create an original model

☐ d. Determine how implementing the solution will solve the problem

☐ e. Establish that the solution does no impose too great a cost in solving the problem

For each argument you make, answer the question:

“Which level (a, b, c, d or e) does this prove?”

If the topic is a Value topic; you need to do the following:
(THBT X is bett er / worse than Y incl. TH regrets, TH supports ex. TH supports
increasing VAT in South Africa)

Identify the components of evaluation

☐ The object(s) being evaluated – the focus of evaluative efforts

☐ The evaluator – the term or pharse that implies a value judgement

☐ Create a standard of evaluation / Define the object and evaluator

☐ Compare the object to the standard / Demonstrate the object meets the standard

For each argument you make, answer the question:

“How does this argument mean my object meets the criteria of the subject?”

If the topic is a Fact topic; you need to do the following:

(THBT X is Y ex. THBT terti ary educati on is a human right)

You need to much of the same of a value topic, (since you are also evaluating something). The
difference here is that you need to establish:

☐ What is required for X to be considered a fact (to be true)?

This will be your standard of evaluation. In every other aspect fact topics can be treated as value
topics.

After you have addressed the specific needs of a given type of motion:
Define the motion

☐ Establish the context for the motion (and for the debate)

☐ Define the contentious terms

☐ Limit the scope of the motion

☐ Identify competing principles (the clear issues in the debate)

☐ Establish a team-stance / theme

☐ Analyze stakeholders (or “generate actors”)

☐ Apply first principles (or standard arguments)

☐ Establish a filter / team-line

☐ Generate momentum and urgency

☐ Provide deeper analysis

- Adopt a reversed perspective

- Create counter-intuitive arguments
- Flip existing arguments
The structure of an argument:
☐ Label (Idea) showing

What you’re about to prove

☐ Explanation (Analysis of the idea) showing

Why your idea is true and

(Ask “why?” each argument is true / should be believed)

Why it matters in the context of the debate / issue

(Ask “why?” each argument matters – “so what?”)

☐ Evidence showing

How you explanation holds up in reality

☐ Tie-back showing

How your argument supports you overall case approach (what you’re trying to prove)

(Ask “why?” each argument matters – “so what?”)

How to determine what a debate should be about

Example:
THBT nati ons in Africa should prioti ti ze economic development over concerns of
climate change

Why have this debate? What do we want to establish?

We want to know what will benefit the people in Africa the most (i.e. what will maximize welfare).

We need to establish whether the benefits of prioritizing economic devlopment will increase
welfare the most, or

whether the benefits of prioritizing concerns of climate change will increase welfare the most.

This also means that it is important to show that the benefits of prioritizing economic devlopment
are mutually exclusive (meaning that the same benfits cannot be achieved by prioritizing concerns
of climate change).

You need to ask “Why specifically economic development?”, “Why specifically concerns of climate
change?” and “Why specifically nations in Africa?”

Therefore, you need to show what is unique about all these things. This is why setting context (and
correctly identifying problems and solutions) is so important.

So: What are the benefits of economic development for Africa?

What is the impact of climate change on Africa?
How does prioritizing economic development lead to a better Africa?
How does prioritizing concerns of climate change not lead to a better Africa?

In essence, this debate boils down to “What will lead to more welfare for Africa?”
Issues you can identify and generate arguments from and form clashes around:

Cultural Economic Educational

Environmental Legal Moral
Political Rights Security
Social Symbolic Welfare

Concept sets you can structure issues around (create arguments from):
Past—Present—Future
Idealism—Realism
Moral—Pragmatic
General Principle— Specific Instance
Social—Political—Economic
Diplomatic Influence—Economic Influence—Military Influence
Domestic—Foreign
National—Regional—Global
Problem—Cause—Solution
Cause—Effect
Behaviors—Motivation
Individual—Community
Empirical—Logical
Scientific—Spiritual