Constructing an Affirmative or
Negative Case
I. Introduction
A. Attention Getter
B. State the resolution
C. Define key terms
D. Establish value/criteria
E. Preview Contentions
F. Observations (if any)
Attention Getter
•Quotation, story, anecdote or historical
example which outlines your general position
•Make sure it relates directly to the topic
•No longer than 15-20 seconds
State the Resolution
•State the resolution verbatim
•Negative should not offer a negative version
•“I stand Resolved” “I affirm today’s resolution”
•“I negate (oppose) the resolution”
Definitions
•Define every major term
•Use mainstream, accepted sources
•Provide a clear understanding; don’t play games
or twist definitions
•Define major phrases together - “affirmative
action” “gun control” “developing countries”
Value/Criterion
•Value is the “good thing” obtained by affirming or
negating the resolution
•Criterion defines a method for achieving the value
or for weighing one value against another
Preview
•A statement foreshadowing your contentions
•Identify your burden of proof and how you plan to
meet it
“The affirmative will now demonstrate that term
limits would be desirable because first, they would
foster democracy; second, they would establish
equality; and finally, they would decrease
corruption in government.”
Observations. . .
•State what should be accepted facts which do not
favor one side or the other
•Are not arguments
•Remind the judge of the parameters of the debate
to pre-empt non-topical arguments
Constructing an Affirmative or
Negative Case
II. Body
A. Use clear contentions
B. Use short contentions
C. Use evidence and your own reasoning
to support contentions/subpoints
D. Tie contentions to value/criteria
Steps in Argument
Construction
Step 1: The Claim
Step 2: The Warrant
Step 3: The Impact
The Claim
•The statement of the argument or its main idea
•Can be a contention tag or a sub-point under a
contention
Answers the question
“What is my argument?”
The Claim - Example
Resolved: Nuclear weapons’ testing is immoral.
The Claim “Nuclear weapons’ testing harms
innocent people”
The Warrant
•Analysis (including evidence) for why the claim
is valid
Answers the question:
“Why is the argument true?”
The Warrant - Example
“Innocent people are affected by nuclear
weapons’ testing due to radiation fallout. People
living near testing sites during World War II’s
Manhattan Project evidenced increased rates of
cancer and other diseases as a result of exposure
to radiation during testing.” (should include
evidence at this point)
The Impact
•Analysis telling us why the argument is
important or what its ultimate impact is
Answers the question
“Why is the argument important?”
The Impact - Example
“The supposed need for nuclear weapons does
not justify putting innocent people at risk. A
government is not justified in putting its own
citizens in danger. Such a government would not
only be illegitimate, but also immoral, thus
rendering nuclear weapons’ testing immoral.”
Constructing an Affirmative or
Negative Case
III. Conclusion
A. Summarize key points
B. Ties back to attention getter or provides a
concluding quotation.
C. Ends with a call for the judge to affirm or
negate the resolution.
Sample Affirmative Case
Structure #1
Resolved: The Benefits of Genetic Engineering
Outweigh the Harms.
Value = Life
Criteria = Consequentialism
I. Genetic engineering prevents genetic diseases.
II. Genetic engineering leads to cures for disease.
III. Genetic engineering can wipe out hunger.
Sample Affirmative Case
Structure #2
Resolved: That an oppressive government is more
desirable than no government.
Value = Order (Social Contract) Criteria = CBA
I. Order is fundamental to mankind.
II. Retaining order necessitates oppression.
III. Without order, we lose human rights and
justice.