Debate II: Speaker
Responsibilities
Doris L. W. Chang
Presentation Outline
1. Speaker Order and Responsibilities (Goodnight 22-31)
1. 1st AC (affirmative constructive speech)
2. 1st NC
3. 2nd AC
4. 2nd NC
5. 1st NR
6. 1st AR
7. 2nd NR
8. 2nd AR
2. Tips on Debate Practices (Manish Vij)
3. In-class Informal Debate Practice
Speaker Responsibilities (Goodnight 22)
1st AC
Presents reasons for change (contentions or
advantages) and solution
1st NC Challenges aff. Def. of terms, topicality, refutes aff.
contentions or advantage
2nd AC
Rebuilds aff. Case, refutes neg. arguments, extends
remaining aff. arguments.
2nd NC
Refutes aff. plan-workability, solvency, disadvantages
1st NR Refutes, extends, develops case arguments
introduced by 2nd AC
1st AR Responds to all negative arguments (2 NC & 1 NR)
2nd NR
Extends negative arguments on case or plan.
Choose “Voting Issues” in conclusion.
2nd AR
Answers negative’s objections extended by 2nd NR,
and re-establish the aff. case.
1st AC--Strategy
Strategy:
--to present the strongest possible case for
the proposition
--to leave the affirmative in a strong
offensive position
1st AC: Duties
1. A brief, pleasant introduction that capsulize
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
the affirmative’s approach
The resolution (proposition)
Definition of key terms in the proposition
Aff. justification for change
Aff. Plan
Plan Advantages
Brief summary of the aff. Case.
1st AC: Outline
Introduction
II.
Statement of the resolution
III.
Definition of terms
IV. Inherency
V.
Significance
VI. Presentation of the plan
VII. Solvency of the plan (need case)
VIII. Advantages of the plan (comparative
advantage case; optional for need case.)
I.
1st NC: Strategy



To maintain the validity of the present
system
To take the offensive away from the aff.
To expand the debate beyond the
arguments presented in the 1st AC speech.
1st NC: Duties
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
A brief intro. and explanation of the negative’s philosophy
in the debate
The neg.’s organization for analyzing the aff. Arguments.
Challenge the aff. Definition of terms.
Challenge the aff. topicality
Defend the present system by summarizing its aims &
effectiveness in meeting its goals.
Show that the aff. failed to justify its proposal to change
the present system
Briefly summarize the neg. position in the debate.
1st NC: Outline
Introduction & statement of the neg. philosophy.
Challenge aff. definition of terms
I.
II.
with counter-evidence & quote of authority
Challenge topicality:
III.
carefully explain why the aff. case does not fall within the bounds of the
resolution.
Structure each refutation
IV.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
V.
State the aff. point to be refuted, using aff. Labels
State your position relative to the aff. Contention
Present evidence for the neg. point
Explain C’s impact on the aff. Case
Restate your position.
Restatement of the neg. philosophy or summary of the neg’s
overall impact on the aff. Case.
2nd AC: Strategy
 to uphold the aff. burden of proof,
 to remain on the offensive and
 to narrow the range of arguments.
2nd AC: Duties
1.
2.
Give a brief introduction
Prove that the aff. case justifies the topic
by re-establishing the aff. def. of terms and topicality, if
challenged.
3.
4.
Reestablish the aff. Justification for change.
Prove that the harm exists, is significant, and is likely
5.
Demonstrate that the harm is caused by the
present system. (or prove the advantages are
unique to the aff. plan.
Review aff. arguments that haven’t been
attacked so far.
Briefly summarize
6.
7.
to grow worse if nothing’s done
2nd AC: Outline
I.
Intro.: Overview of the debate thus far
Show the relationship between aff. case and neg.
philosophy
II.
III.
IV.
Defend def. of terms or topicality, if needed
Re-establish the aff. Inherency, answer neg.
refutation
Attack any neg. constructive materials
Use aff. contentions to refute its philosophy or defense
of the present system.
V.
Summarize, emphasizing arguments dropped
by the neg. and arguments carried by aff.
2nd NC: Strategy
 To outline plan workability and solvency
problems and disadvantages to adopting the
aff. plan.
2nd NC: Duties
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Outline the 2nd NC speech plan, road map
Show why the aff. proposal is unworkable
Challenge the aff. justification for change Show
why the aff. plan will not solve the problems.
Detail the disadvantages of the aff. plan—
provide well-developed disadvantages with
supporting evidences
Briefly conclude. (prove disadvantages outweigh
advantages if adopting the aff. proposition).
2nd NC: Outline
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Introduction with ref. to the neg. philosophy by
1st NC. Preview 2nd NC speech.
Workability: attack specific elements of the aff.
Plan.
Solvency: prove that the aff. plan cannot
achieve the advantages the aff. claimed
Disadvantages: develop all attacks to prove
that even if the aff. Plan could meet the need,
disadvantages outweigh advantages. (see
Goodnight 27 for ex.)
1st NR: Strategy
 To extend the negative’s case attacks
 To create a complete unit (block) of the neg.
position
Tips: relate the NR conclusion to the neg.
position on case, and its plan objections.
--establish that the need doesn’t exist
--that even if it did, the plan is significantly unable
to meet the need.
--that there shall be more disadvantages than
advantages.
1st NR: Duties
1.
Challenge the aff. def. of terms
-- if still unacceptable, drop it if the aff. has adequately
defended it.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Refute the 2nd AC arguments and extend the
neg. explanation why the case is not topical, if it
is the case.
Choose key points in the 1st NC’s speech, refute
aff. objections, explain why the points are the
most important arguments in the debate
Examine the aff. justification for change again
Give a summary of the negative block.
1st AR: Strategy
 To further the aff. strategies of fulfilling the
burden of proof,
 To validate the aff. plan,
 To narrow the debate both on case and on
plan
Tips: in a 5 min. rebuttal speech, spend 2-2.5
min. on plan attacks and the balance on
case.
1st AR: Duties
1.
Refute the neg.’s plan objections
1.
2.
3.
2.
3.
4.
Consolidate as many arguments as possible.
Point out the neg. flaws in reasoning, and missing
links in arguments.
Show how neg. disadvantages are really aff.
adventages.
Rebuilt the aff. case at major points of attack.
Narrow the debate by focusing on key issues
and explain why they are important.
Consolidate as many 1st NR arguments as
possible
Briefly summarize the strengths of the aff. case.
2NR: Strategy
To identify the case arguments the neg. views as
voting issues in order to win the round
To demonstrate that the significance of the
disadvantages outweighs the advantages or the
solvency of the affirmative harm.
Tips: the 1st NR & 2nd NR should communicate well.
 1st NR could identify the voting issues on the case
while 2nd NR could identify those on the plan.
 The 2nd NR could also begin with the most important
voting issues and end with the least important if time is
limited.
 Think, communicate, and stay organized
2nd NR: Duties
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Give a brief intro. and road map of the speech
direction
Briefly re-establish topicality and def. of terms
challenges, if still applicable.
Re-establish key case arguments as voting
issues and extend them for the neg.
Review plan objections and disadvantages,
refute the aff. responses, and show issues the aff.
neglected to discuss.
Summarize the negative position, call for
rejection of the proposition.
2nd AR: Strategy
 To put the debate in perspective, continue to
advance the aff.’s basic strategies in the
debate.
Tips:
 Clarify muddled or confused arguments. The 2nd AR
should explain what the arguments mean in terms of the
context of the debate round.
 E.g. the 2nd AR might demonstrate why the advantages
or solvency of the aff. harm outweigh a disadvantage
the neg. may be winning.
2nd AR: Duties
1.
2.
Give a brief intro. and road map of the speech
Extend answers to plan objections
1.
2.
3.
4.
Refute major disadvantages
Group neg. arguments where possible
Try to center the speech on 3 or 4 major
arguments the aff. cas depends on. Explain why
if they differ from the key arguments identified by
the neg.
Review the basic aff. Analysis and call for
acceptance of the proposition.
Tips on Debate Practice
 Voting Issues
 Tips for individual debaters
The Voting Issues by Manish Vij
Issue
Aff
Neg
Significance
There's a big problem.
The problem is small.
Inherency
The status quo is not
solving the problem.
Status quo is solving.
Plan
Here's our plan to solve the
problem.
Solvency
Here's why our plan solves Plan does not solve the
the problem.
problem.
Advantages
In addition to solving the
problem, our plan has the
following advantages.
Advantages are not
significant.
Topicality
Our plan fits under the
resolution.
The plan does not
address the resolution.
Disadvantages Our plan does not cause
these disadvantages.
The plan harms more
than it helps.
1st AC
Prepared; should sound like oratory
Practiced
Memorized intro and conclusion
Good transitions between cards
If you have good ev, don't save it for later - use it
here
 Should lead into 2AC
 Not too much structure; never beyond I. A. 1.
 You can preempt





 Don't define terms (preempt topicality)
1st NC
 Road map
 Run plan-side arguments first
 Disads, topicality, counterplans
 Use a separate flow pad
 Next, hit case (inherency, significance, solvency)
 Don't go card by card; answer red flag issues




(crucial to winning the round)
Attack the rationale behind cards
Don't ask questions; make arguments!
Allocate sufficient time to put out case arguments
Save evidence for extensions
2nd AC
 Road map
 Pull points that 1NC dropped and extend
throughout round
 Answer DAs, topicality, counterplans first
 Put out at least 7 responses to each disad
(analysis ok)
 Put out turns on disads but don't double-turn (links &
impacts)
 Put out a variety of independent responses
 Next, at least two-point each case argument
 Don't drop anything
 You will have to group Neg arguments
2nd NC
 Decide who will do what in the Neg Block
 Road map
 Bury the Aff: 3-point each response to your disad(s)
 Extend the parts of the disads that you'll go for
 Grant a disad you're losing by granting everything
that is not a turn:
 Uniqueness, link, brink
 Bury 2AC arguments
1st NR
 Rules:
Use no prep time unless the disad isn't buried
yet
Read evidence
Write speech during 2NC
 Pick out your round-winner and bury Aff
responses
1st AR
 Toughest speech in round because it follows the negative





block
Use 2AC structure to avoid putting out new arguments
Road map
Answer new disads from 2NC
Next, go to old disads, topicality, counterplan
If the disads have been buried:
 Use 2AC structure to refer to 2NC responses
 Don't go through all Neg responses
 It takes only one good response remaining to beat a disad
 Go to case
 Pull important arguments and cards
 Don't be too specific and don't explain; there's no time!
 Beat round-winner by grouping Neg arguments
2nd NR
 Road map
 Use all your prep time
 Ask your partner which arguments to pull during the first or






last 30 seconds of cross-ex
Beat all Aff responses to disads by grouping
Pull specific arguments from 1NR, 2NC
Extend disad impacts
Go down round-winning stock issue
Slime control: remind judge that no new arguments are
allowed in 2AR, and if the other team tries to slime, judge
should drop them.
In last thirty seconds, paint the picture. Write the ballot for
the judge.
 Burden of proof: If the judge has any doubt in his mind on any issue,
he should vote Neg. New policies are inherently unknown and risky.
2nd AR
 Road map
 Extend; respond to one or two Neg arguments on




disads; win one
Weigh Aff policy vs. status quo - write the ballot
Refer to 2AC structure and to make the debate
sound as if it's on your ground
In last 30 seconds, paint the picture. Write the
ballot for the judge.
Risk theory: If voting aff has even a 1% chance of
saving a life, the judge should vote aff.
How to Win Rounds
1. Be clear. Judges tune out of murky
debates.
2. Sound like you are winning - even if you
aren't. It intimidates the other team and
helps you with the judge.
3. Keep your options open. Put out a lot of
arguments initially, so no one can bury
them all. Then focus and find your roundwinners.
How to Win Rounds
4. Don't bet the round on a trick. Don't argue in
2AR that response X, when combined with
argument Y, turns disad Z and gives you the
victory. Judges can't or won't follow it.
5. Simplify at the end. Write the ballot in the last 20
seconds. Make it clear why you win. Aff:
compare your policy with the status quo. Neg: go
down stock issues and stress that you must only
win one.
How to Win Rounds
6.
In league, on the Neg, put out case
presses/evidence presses, then read evidence.
Teams who want an evidence war will drop the
presses and just read evidence. This really can
make you look good if you play up the dropped
presses.
This is called Manny and John-style debating, named after
Homestead-A 1987-88, M. Varadarajan and J.
Riemenschnitter. (They qualed for Nats doing this.) It
helps to have a long last name.
How to Win Rounds
7. It's ok to go slightly fast in league. It may
even make you look more intelligent. Caveat:
That means faster than oratory pace, but not
even close to a spread.
8.Humor! Be very cautious and appropriate
with this, but if you can get a judge to laugh
- and this requires a very delicate sense of
appropriateness - the judge is yours.
Your Turn to Practice
 Divide the class into two debate camps
 Group 4 members on one team for the following




debate practices. Decide which small team will
represent your camp each time.
Formulate a proposition
Decide the debaters and orders
Brainstorm for debate preparation, be sure all
debaters are clear about his/her responsibilities
In-class debate practices.
Works Cited
Goodnight, Lynn. Getting Started in Debate.
2nd Ed. Lincolnwood, Chicago: NTC,
1994.
Vij, Manish. “Introduction to Team Debate.”
April 10, 2006.
<http://www.vij.com/debate/ >
Online Debate
<http://debate.navidot.com/cgibin/dbate_m.pl>