Building a Public Forum Case (Adapted from Chapter 9 in The Art of Debate)

CASE – a case is a main set of arguments to prove the truth or falsity of the resolution. (Case is a legal
term, because a good lawyer needs quality evidence to convince a jury, and so do you.)

Write your cases like good four to five paragraph persuasive essays containing:

o An introduction in which you state the resolution

 Start with a quote (from a famous person or author) or emotional story.
 Transition: explain the quote and how it (or the story) relates to the topic.
 State the resolution
o Two to three CONTENTIONS/main arguments (100-200 words each) Place your most
important arguments first and second, in case you run out of time.
 Each of the 2-3 contentions must:
 Contain a claim (about 7 words or fewer) ex. “The U. S. is a world superpower.”
 With supporting Warrants: 2-3 for each claim. These can be evidence,
data, statistics, or even predictions based on human nature, historical
observations, etc.
o Make sure you mention enough information about the source
to make the source appear credible. Ex. A recent Time Magazine
article said…
 And impact(s) that link the claim and warrant back to proving the topic.

Example Contention:

(Claim): Cell phone users cause more accidents than drunk drivers.
(Warrant): According to a recent study cited in Time Magazine, cell phone users caused 13
percent more accidents than drunk drivers. All states have laws against drunk
driving.
(Impact): To save lives, we should ban the use of cell phones.

o A brief conclusion – Summarize your main arguments and link them back to the resolution.

ASSIGNMENT REQUIREMENTS:

 Each partner must locate and document at least 6 sources for, and an additional 6 sources
against the resolution. That’s a total of 12 sources.
 You must prepare two cases as a partnership: one affirmative—supporting the resolution; one
negative—disagreeing with the resolution. You must both be knowledgeable about the
affirmative case and the negative case. These should be about 500 words each
o Sample debate cases are available for you to use as templates and examples.
 You must both speak during the debate.
 You must participate in flowing and judging all class debates.
 Public Forum Case Outline: Affirmative (Pro)
First Constructive (Speaker #1)

Opening: Start with an attention getter (anecdote, relevant quotation, etc.)

I affirm the resolution which states Resolved: All young adults in the United States should be required to
perform at least one full year of national service.
_______________________________________________________________________.

Definitions: Define any concepts or terms needing clarification from the resolved.
“young adults,” = 18-21; “required,” = by law; “national service,” = “A period of compulsory service in
the armed forces or through another federal program that enables young people to pay back
government loans through community work.

Main Argument/Contention One: The United States’ future relies on national service.
(Sub point A) Claim: Vast improvements could be made to our nation through
compulsory service.
Data (evidence; this is like a CD from your research): The National
Volunteers Institute projects that only one in twenty youth will voluntarily perform any type of public
service or community work in 2012-2013, a downturn of 8% from the previous year. (Another bit of
evidence from a different source to support same claim is strongly advised).
Warrant/Impact (this is like CM; it’s the “So What”): If this trend
continues, and likely it will as more and more youth become increasingly self-centered and further
disillusioned with the state of things, there will be so few youth performing community & national
services that our nation will begin to deteriorate.

(Sub point B) Claim: In light of the current deficit and huge cuts to social services
programs, compulsory service is needed more than ever.

Data (evidence; this is like a CD from your research)

Warrant/Impact (this is like CM; it’s the “So What”)

Main Argument/Contention Two: Compulsory nation service provides structure and valuable resources
for young adults.
(Sub point A) Claim:
Data (evidence; this is like a CD from your research)
Warrant/Impact (this is like CM; it’s the “So What”)

(Sub point B) Claim

Data (evidence; this is like a CD from your research)
Warrant/Impact (this is like CM; it’s the “So What”)

Main Argument/Contention Three:

(Sub point A) Claim:
 Data (evidence; this is like a CD from your research)
Warrant/Impact (this is like CM; it’s the “So What”)

(Sub point B) Claim

Data (evidence; this is like a CD from your research)
Warrant/Impact (this is like CM; it’s the “So What”)

Closing Statement:

At end of closing restate your position. Example: Therefore, my partner and I support the Resolution
that states All young adults in the United States should be required to perform at least one full year of
national service.

Third & Fourth Constructive Speeches (Speaker #2 continues the speech here)

Opening: An argument format could be an introduction that links the team’s second speech here to the
first speech above. Speaker #2 could do this starting with an attention getter (anecdote, relevant
quotation, etc.) that builds upon the previous speech.

Follow with an overview of the issue, Example: My partner has made the case for compulsory national
service based on the facts (summarize your main arguments). Our opponents claim that (state
opponent’s argument(s)); however, (give reasons/evidence why opponent is wrong). Follow by stating
what this argument clash now means for your side in the debate. In addition, some time should be
allocated to rebuilding your team’s original case, made by the first speaker. *It is important to have
clarity here that is seldom attained by a strictly detailed outline like that of the first speaker’s, because
the second speaker on a team must adapt the original case to his/her opponent’s arguments.
Speeches should conclude with a summary, ending in a closing like this:
For these reasons, my partner and I reaffirm the resolution which states Resolved: All young adults in the
United States should be required to perform at least one full year of national service.
 Public Forum Sample Outline: Negative (Con)

Opening: Start with an attention getter (anecdote, relevant quotation, etc.)

I negate the resolution which states Resolved: All young adults in the United States should be required to
perform at least one full year of national service.

Definitions: Define any concepts or terms needing clarification from the resolved.
Let’s assume the definitions presented by the affirmative are legitimate.

Main Argument/Contention One: Requirement, therefore, legal mandate, infringes on

individual rights of American citizens.
(Sub point A) Claim: Citizens of the United States are guaranteed personal freedoms that
counter federal mandates for national service.
Data: (Debater can research and interpret parts of the U.S.
Constitution as well as various Amendments that will support this statement).
Warrant/Impact: Mandates such as this Resolution deteriorate
fundamental American values.

(Sub point B) Claim

Data (evidence; this is like a CD from your research)
Warrant/Impact (this is like CM; it’s the “So What”)

Main Argument/Contention Two: Incentives, not mandates, will increase voluntary service.
(Sub point A) Claim: Incentives that help pay back loans granted for one year’s service
will be extremely popular.
Data (evidence; this is like a CD from your research)
Warrant/Impact: Therefore, community/national service will
increase.

(Sub point B) Claim

Data (evidence; this is like a CD from your research)
Warrant/Impact (this is like CM; it’s the “So What”)

Main Argument/Contention Three

(Sub point A) Claim
Data (evidence; this is like a CD from your research)
Warrant/Impact (this is like CM; it’s the “So What”)

(Sub point B) Claim

Data (evidence; this is like a CD from your research)
Warrant/Impact (this is like CM; it’s the “So What”)
Closing Statement: Closing Statement:

At end of closing restate your position. Example: Therefore, my partner and I negate the Resolution that
states All young adults in the United States should be required to perform at least one full year of
national service.

Third & Fourth Constructive Speeches (Speaker #2 continues the speech here)

Opening: An argument format could be an introduction that links the team’s second speech here to the
first speech above. Speaker #2 could do this starting with an attention getter (anecdote, relevant
quotation, etc.) that builds upon the previous speech.

Follow with an overview of the issue, Example: My partner has made the case against compulsory
national service based on the facts (summarize your main arguments). Our opponents claim that (state
opponent’s argument(s)); however, (give reasons/evidence why opponent is wrong). Follow by stating
what this argument clash now means for your side in the debate. In addition, some time should be
allocated to rebuilding your team’s original case, made by the first speaker. *It is important to have
clarity here that is seldom attained by a strictly detailed outline like that of the first speaker’s, because
the second speaker on a team must adapt the original case to his/her opponent’s arguments.
Speeches should conclude with a summary, ending in a closing like this:
For these reasons, my partner and I strongly negate the resolution which states Resolved: All young
adults in the United States should be required to perform at least one full year of national service.