HOW TO WIN
AFFIRMATIVE DEBATES
Julia Marshall
ENDI 2013
OUTLINE
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Af firmative speeches
How to prepare
What makes a good af firmative
How do you research an af firmative
Advanced tips
1. AFFIRMATIVE
SPEECH
STRATEGIES
THE FIRST AFFIRMATIVE CONSTRUCTIVE
(1AC)
 Introduction of the plan
 Have a diversity of advantages
THE SECOND AFFIRMATIVE CONSTRUCTIVE
(2AC)
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The time to win back your case and answer of fcase arguments
Make sure you have of fense on every flow
Think about what the negative strategy may be
If an argument is bad, do not spend a ton of time on the
particular argument
HOW TO ANSWER THE DISAD
Non-Unique
No Link
No Internal
Link
Link Turn
No Impact
Impact
Turn
HOW TO ANSWER THE DISAD
(1)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
SUMMARY
Non unique
No link
Link turn
No internal link
No impact
Non-Unique
No Link
No Internal
Link
Link Turn
No Impact
Impact
Turn
HOW TO ANSWER THE DISAD
(2)
SUMMARY
1. Non unique
2. Link turn
Non-Unique
No Link
No Internal
Link
Link Turn
No Impact
Impact
Turn
HOW TO ANSWER THE DISAD
(3)
SUMMARY
1. No impact
2. Impact turn
Non-Unique
No Link
No Internal
Link
Link Turn
No Impact
Impact
Turn
THE RULES TO THE GAME
 Beware! You never want to make the red arguments at the
same time.
 Do I want to force the negative to extend this disad?
 If yes, two options
 Link turn (2)
 Impact turn (3)
 If no, then you can go with (1), but make sure not to include two red
arguments together.
Now…You want to sit down before a tournament and
make a list like this.
HOW TO ANSWER A COUNTERPLAN
 The counterplan does not solve the af firmative (solvency
deficit)
 The counterplan links to the negative’s disad
 The af firmative can read a new disadvantage to the
counterplan
 The af firmative can makes arguments regarding the
disposition of the counterplan
 The af firmative can make theory arguments that are specific
to the type of counterplan
 The af firmative can argue that the counterplan does not
compete and therefore should be rejected
THE FIRST AFFIRMATIVE REBUTTAL (1AR)
 Pick and choose—be narrow, but…
 Leave several options open for the 2AR
 Write extensions of important arguments
2AC
1. Non unique
x
2. No link
x
3. Link turn
x
4. No internal link
x
5. No impact
x
1AR
No link—warrants from 2AC card—
reasons to prefer—respond to negative
arguments
X,X,X
No internal link—warrants from 2AC
card—reasons to prefer—respond to
negative arguments
X,X,X
No impact—warrants from 2AC card—
reasons to prefer—respond to negative
arguments
X,X,X
TIPS FOR GIVING A GOOD 1AR
 Extend theory
 Extend an addon
 Circle important arguments on your flow that you MUST be
answered
 Kick out of an advantage?
THE SECOND AFFIRMATIVE REBUTTAL
(2AR)
 Big picture—2 tricky options:
 Aff impact solves the disadvantage impact
 Aff impact causes the negative impact to win
 Pick your best arguments
 Time to explain arguments in-depth
 Choose impacts wisely. Ask yourself before the 2ar, “What does X
impact get me that the other does not?”
 Do NOT just reiterate arguments. Explain why those best
arguments mean you win
 It does not need to be super speedy. It’s better to explain why
you win than just extend all of the 1AR arguments.
2. HOW TO
PREPARE
WHAT IS A BLOCK?
 A way to organize answers or extensions of an argument
2AC BLOCK EXAMPLE
1AR BLOCK EXAMPLE
WHAT MAKES A BLOCK GOOD?
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Make sure it is flowable
Number your arguments
Intersperse analytic arguments with cards
Include cross-examination points
Change them to apply to the particular debate
3. WHAT MAKES A
GOOD
AFFIRMATIVE
THE KEY ELEMENTS
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Strong solvency evidence
Have a diversity of advantages
Include lots of impacts
Have a uniqueness trick
4. HOW TO
RESEARCH
THE KEY ELEMENTS OF RESEARCH
 Find several pieces of good solvency evidence
 Set up good google alerts
 Scout other teams: know what your opponents are saying and
follow other teams that are reading a similar af firmative
 Do the negative file against your own af firmative
FINALLY…5.
ADVANCED TIPS
HOW TO GET BETTER
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Write new af firmatives and new advantages
Read add-ons
Learn how to debate theory
Do practice 2ACs with your coach
Keep up with current events
Spend time planning your 2AR beforehand
Make sure to read the actual 1AC articles
Learn how to frame debates