The Affirmative &

Negative Case
Acosta, Krizmei Yvette
Badua, Krisha Anne
Belde, Jake Rand
Bulayog, Ivan Lloyd
Daoayen, Creszle Joy
Gatan, Noriel
 Table of Contents

03 Affirmative Case

Introduction 01
04 Negative Case

Speaker Roles 02
05 Summary
 Introduction

01.
What is a debate?
A debate is an organized argument
or contest of ideas in which the
participants discuss a topic from
two opposing sides. Each side will
show in an organized and clever
way why they believe to have the
right answers. They will use
examples and evidence to support
their ideas while working towards a
conclusion.  
 Speaker Roles

02.
What are the roles of a speaker?
Debating is a team sport – you must work together when
preparing you case and during the debate. Each speaker
within the team has a certain role to play. It is important that
each speaker understands and fulfils their role.

In each debate, there are two teams of three speakers. The

team which argues for the topic is called the affirmative. The
team arguing against the topic is called the negative. Each
speaker speaks once for a defined period.
 Affirmative
Case

03.
What is the Affirmative Case?
Teams who were given the affirmative case has the
responsibility to present a case and plan in your first speech.
The affirmative case must establish that there is a significant
problem (HARM) in the given topic, which is more likely in
the current system, and that the current system cannot or
will not correct the problem (Inherency), thus making you to
have a plan that will solve or improve the condition
(Solvency). In defining the topic, keywords could be used but
it is better to define the topic as a whole rather than
individual words. The most logical definition is the best line
to take.
What is the Affirmative Case?
In the Affirmative, you are responsible in showing off the
significant problem in the status quo. This is called the
burden of HARM.

The affirmative must also prove that the current system,

often referred as the “status quo”, is incapable and unlikely to
solve the harm area. This burden is called INHERENCY.
Types of Inherencies
Structural Inherency- There is something actively preventing
the problem from getting better. Often times, these are
some existing policy that allows the problems to continue.

Gap Inherency- While the present system is aware to why

the problems exist, the actions shown are not effective or
have failed to solve the existing harms.

Attitudinal Inherency- In here, you would argue that there

are beliefs or attitudes which prevents the problems from
getting better.
First Affirmative Case
The first affirmative’s role is to set out their team’s
interpretation of the topic (the contention/team case),
define the topic, outline the team split, and present
arguments.

1. Define the topic

The first task of the first affirmative speaker is to define the

topic. The definition specifies the important issue(s) in
contention, and places boundaries on the issues that can be
argued in the debate.
First Affirmative Case
2. Outline the team split.

It is essential to let the audience know early on in the debate

exactly which way your team will be heading and the
approach they will be taking to the debate.

3. Present arguments.

First and second speakers of both teams present arguments.

The arguments said by the first speaker should be different,
and not overlap, with the arguments of the second speaker.
Second Affirmative Case
The basic responsibilities are to refute the negative off-case
and on-case attacks, and to reestablish your partner’s claims
and to extend affirmative case argument.
 Negative Case

04.
Negative Case
A "negative case" is one in which respondents' experiences
or viewpoints differ from the main body of evidence. When a
negative case can be explained, the general explanation for
the "typical" case is strengthened.

The first negative’s role is to outlines their team’s contention,

team split, rebut the arguments of the first affirmative, and
present arguments.
Negative Case
1. This side of the debate will be opposed to the resolution.
The negative will sometimes be called con. Will often be
referred to as NEG.

2. The basic job of the negative is to prove that the

resolution is not true and beat the affirmative policy.
 Summary

05.
Summary
In the debate, there are 2 teams of 3 speakers. The order of
speakers is: first affirmative, first negative, second
affirmative, second negative, third affirmative, third negative.
Following this final speech, the debating component is done,
and the adjudicator takes time to give feedback and award
the win.

The first affirmative’s role is to set out their team’s

interpretation of the topic (the contention/team case),
o define the topic,
o outline the team split,
o and present arguments
Summary
The first negative’s role is to

o outlines their team’s contention, team split,

o rebut the arguments of the first affirmative,
o and present argument

The main difference between First Affirmative and Negative

is that the first affirmative defines the topic, which the first
negative does not (typically) do so, and, that the first
negative offers rebuttal.
Resources
https://dav.com.au/resources/itd_speaker_roles.php

http://acme.highpoint.edu/~smithmi9/8th%20Grade%20Debate/sides_of_debate_and_teams.html

https://www.americandebateleague.org/what-is-debate.html#/

https://resources.chicagodebates.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/9.-Coaching-the-Affirmative.pdf

https://www.atlantadebate.org/being-affirmative-and-negative-hs-novice
Thank you for listening!