Public Forum Sample Outline: Negative (Con)
Opening: Start with an attention getter (anecdote, relevant quotation, etc.)
I negate the resolution which states Resolved: All young adults in the United States
should be required to perform at least one full year of national service.
Definitions: Define any concepts or terms needing clarification from the resolved.
Let’s assume the definitions presented by the affirmative are legitimate.
Main Argument One: Requirement, therefore, legal mandate, infringes on
individual rights of American citizens.
(Sub point A) Claim: Citizens of the United States are guaranteed
personal freedoms that counter federal mandates for national service.
Data: (Debater can research and interpret parts of the
U.S. Constitution as well as various Amendments that will support this statement).
Warrant/Impact: Mandates such as this Resolution
deteriorate fundamental American values.
(Sub point B) Claim
Data (evidence; this is like a CD from your research)
Warrant/Impact (this is like CM; it’s the “So What”)
Main Argument Two: Incentives, not mandates, will increase voluntary
service.
(Sub point A) Claim: Incentives that help pay back loans granted
for one year’s service will be extremely popular.
Data (evidence; this is like a CD from your research)
Warrant/Impact: Therefore, community/national
service will increase.
(Sub point B) Claim
Data (evidence; this is like a CD from your research)
Warrant/Impact (this is like CM; it’s the “So What”)
Main Argument Three
(Sub point A) Claim
Data (evidence; this is like a CD from your research)
Warrant/Impact (this is like CM; it’s the “So What”)
(Sub point B) Claim
Data (evidence; this is like a CD from your research)
Warrant/Impact (this is like CM; it’s the “So What”)
Closing Statement: Closing Statement:
At end of closing restate your position. Example: Therefore, my partner and I negate the
Resolution that states All young adults in the United States should be required to
perform at least one full year of national service.
Third & Fourth Constructive Speeches (Speaker #2 continues the speech here)
Opening: An argument format could be an introduction that links the team’s second
speech here to the first speech above. Speaker #2 could do this starting with an attention
getter (anecdote, relevant quotation, etc.) that builds upon the previous speech.
Follow with an overview of the issue, Example: My partner has made the case against
compulsory national service based on the facts (summarize your main arguments). Our
opponents claim that (state opponent’s argument(s)); however, (give reasons/evidence
why opponent is wrong). Follow by stating what this argument clash now means for
your side in the debate. In addition, some time should be allocated to rebuilding your
team’s original case, made by the first speaker. *It is important to have clarity here that
is seldom attained by a strictly detailed outline like that of the first speaker’s, because
the second speaker on a team must adapt the original case to his/her opponent’s
arguments. Speeches should conclude with a summary, ending in a closing like this:
For these reasons, my partner and I strongly negate the resolution which states
Resolved: All young adults in the United States should be required to perform at least one
full year of national service.