"[CLICK HERE AND TYPE YOUR NAME]"
"[CLICK HERE AND TYPE DATE]"
C OM PA R ATIV E
A DVAN TAGE
A FFI RM ATI VE C A SE
A template produced by the writers of
Blue Book and Training Minds Ministry.
www.trainingminds.org
How to Use This Template
Welcome to Training Minds Ministry's Comparative Advantage Affirmative Case
Template. We hope you find this template useful in creating your debate case. This
template is designed to be used alongside Blue Book. If you do not have these
publications, click here.
The Blue Book has several debate cases, one of which is offered free online (click here to
view). You can refer to these cases as models on how to write your own case. This
template is one of many ways you can outline a debate case. Change the information on
this template to contain the information you would like. For the body of your case, use
Styles such as Heading 1-5, Body Text, Block Quotation, List Bullet, and List Number
from the Style control on the Formatting toolbar. For evidence quotations, use Styles
such as Contention, Citation and Evidence "Char" (abbreviation for "Characters").
This report template is complete with Styles for a Table of Contents and an Index. From
the Insert menu, choose Reference, Index and Tables. Click on the tab you would like.
How to Customize This Report
This template is a tool to use to get you going on debate case development, but it is
important to note that this template isn't the only way to write a debate case. Don't think
you need to stick with TMM's version of this template. You are free to modify this
template as much as you want. To create your own customized version of this template,
select File New General Templates and choose this template. Be sure to indicate
"template" as the document type in the bottom right corner of the dialog. You will then
be able to make changes and save the template with a custom name.
1) Insert your name and the date in place of the text on the cover page by clicking
once and typing.
2) Choose File Save As. At the bottom of the menu, choose Document Template in
the Save File as Type: box. (The filename extension should change from .doc to
.dot.) Save the file under a new name to protect the original version, or use the same
template name to replace the existing version.
When Finished
When you are finished writing your case, take the time to read it aloud, timing yourself
along the way. Your case should be read smoothly (no speed reading) within an 8-minute
constructive. Be sure to use a convincing voice as you are giving a polished rhetorical
speech to the judge. You may find that you need to cut a little here, revise a little there,
do whatever needed to make your debate case persuadable and convincing.
Comparative Advantage Debate Case - 2
Don't Stop Here
Don't ever think you have a fool-proof case. You don't, no matter how good you think it
is. In fact, jump the gun and start writing a negative brief against your own case. Surely
you came across evidence that argued against your case. Keep this evidence and write
briefs that attack your case. Then write defenses to these briefs. This will prepare you for
the tournament when you hear these arguments from your opponents.
Comparative Advantage Debate Case - 3
AFFIRMATIVE TITLE
USE THIS SPACE TO TY PE A THESIS STATEMEN T THAT EXPLAINS IN
ONE OR TWO SENT ENCES YOUR ENTIRE CASE.
Write your introduction. Though this appears at the beginning of your case, you may
want to wait to write this till you have filled out the rest of your case. An introduction
gives a general preview of your case as well as provides the opportunity to persuade the
judge in principle. You will be leading the judge through a structured, 8-minute
argument, so present the introduction in simple terms that will give the judge a general
understanding of where you are taking this.
OBSERVATION 1. TOPICALITY:
THE AFFIRMATIVE CASE MEETS A REASONABLE DEFINITION OF THE RESOLUTION
A. Definitions
Here you want to define the various terms within the resolution like "significant,"
"change," "policy," and "protectorate." Take care in defining "protectorate," as the Blue
Book goes into detail explaining. There is not a solid definition of this term, and if the
Affirmative team is wishy-washy in their attempt to define it for the round, they will most
certainly be hit hard with a topicality argument.
B. Analysis
Take the time to analyze the resolution. This is the attempt by your team to assess the
resolution for what it says and give confidence to the judge that your case is topical.
OBSERVATION 2. INHERENCY: STATUS QUO IS PURSUING POLICY X
This section will be backed up with evidence that shows that the United States is
pursuing a particular policy that you will later show is flawed. The evidence here is to
prove the status quo is real.
A. Subpoint 1: Status Quo laws support Policy X
Citation
Evidence
B. Subpoint 2: Status Quo spends $X on X
Citation
Evidence
Comparative Advantage Debate Case - 4
C. Subpoint 3: Policy X produces Condition Y
Citation
Evidence
OBSERVATION 3. POLICY X IS A BAD POLICY
The important thing to prove here is that Policy X is a bad policy. Change in policy is
needed, not just a simple fix of the current policy. This can be done using Supreme Court
cases, governmental documentation, periodical opinions, and the like. All evidence used
to prove inherency should be properly cited and should support the case's thesis.
A. Subpoint 1: Condition Y slows economic growth
Citation
Evidence
B. Subpoint 2: Policy X fails to solve for the problems it was designed for
Citation
Evidence
C. Subpoint 3: Policy X hampers U.S. foreign policy
Citation
Evidence
For a better policy than the status quo, we offer the following plan.
1.
Agency.
2.
Mandates – Change Policy X to Policy Z
3.
Funding
4.
Enforcement
5.
Date
6.
Legislative Intent
OBSERVATION 4. ADVANTAGES: POLICY Z PRODUCES MULTIPLE COMPARTATIVE
ADVANTAGES
Here you will attempt to show the judge that the advantages your plan will bring about
are greater than the advantages (or disadvantages, really) of the status quo.
Comparative Advantage Debate Case - 5
ADVANTAGE 1: Z increases U.S. economic growth by 5% (or some other measurement)
ADVANTAGE 2: Z increases effectiveness of U.S. foreign policy (or some other policy)
ADVANTAGE 3: Z increases likelihood of world peace (or some other advantage)
ADVANTAGE 4: Z cures cancer and the common cold (or some other advantage)
Now take the time to write your conclusion. You may want to state, word-for-word, the
thesis of your entire case. Revisit your introduction and ask yourself, "How does this case
convince the judge that the plan should be implemented?" Then write this argument down
in the conclusion.
Comparative Advantage Debate Case - 6