Team Prep
Motion
What is the problem that the motion is trying to address?
World Building (What is happening in this paradigm? What makes this an important issue?)
Stakeholder What is important to the stakeholder? How does the motion affect the
(Characteristics) (Values) stakeholder? (Costs and benefits)
Stakeholder 1
Stakeholder 2
Stakeholder 3
Framing the debate
“We believe this debate is about…”
Pre-empt
“The other side will tell you …”
“But we think this is not true because…”
Policy (If applicable)
Key Metrics:
“What are the key metrics in this debate and how does our team address it? We believe that there are three metrics in this
debate. First,… Second,… Third…”
Arguments:
[Arguments can show: who does more harm than good; who achieves the most important value of the debate; who takes care
of the most important stakeholder]
Argument 1:
“We win the issue on (first metric) because (your argument)…”
Point: Assertion + Reason
Explanation (the logical chain that proves your argument)
Example (Example + explanation of how the example shows that you are right)
Link (Tie the whole argument back to the motion)
Argument 2:
[Arguments can show: who does more harm than good; who achieves the most important value of the debate; who takes care
of the most important stakeholder.]
“We win the issue on (second metric) because (your argument)…”
Point: Assertion + Reason
Explanation (the logical chain that proves your argument)
Example (Example + explanation of how the example shows that you are right)
Link (Tie the whole argument back to the motion)
Argument 3:
[Arguments can show: who does more harm than good; who achieves the most important value of the debate; who takes care
of the most important stakeholder]
“We win the issue on (third metric) because (your argument)…”
Point: Assertion + Reason
Explanation (the logical chain that proves your argument)
Example (Example + explanation of how the example shows that you are right)
Link (Tie the whole argument back to the motion)
Rebuttal
Your opponent’s argument
“They told you that…”
“However, believe this is not rue because…”
“Even if this is true, we believe that the other side is also true.”
(Explain the other side. If they claim there’s benefit, show harm. If they claim there’s harm, show benefit. If they tell you that
they get a value, tell them that they don’t have it or that you can achieve it better)
“But let’s take their best-case scenario: even if what they’re saying is true and we disregard the other side, we believe that we
still win this debate because…”
(Weigh using your metrics)
“In their best case…” (minimize their benefit or maximize their harm; or show that they can only get a marginal effect on the
value they want to claim)
“In our worst case…” (Accept the harms they give you, but mitigate them with an analysis and explain why you still get more
benefit; or explain how you get the value better)
Whipping
[if you can find the main flaw of the entire opponent bench, say that first]
First, you rebut.
Then, present your issues/clashes. Your best case is if the debate revolved around the metrics you suggested. Otherwise, you need
to listen closely to what happened in the debate.
Then weigh the arguments per issue:
Issue Number 1 (state your issue)
Present arguments
“They have told you that…” (present their argument for the issue – only one sentence if possible)
“However, our previous speakers already told you that...” (present your argument/rebuttal that responded to the issue – go
through the summarized structure; don’t restate the whole thing)
Weighing (possible standards: impact, short-run and long-run analyses, best-case-worst-case comparison, comparison of harms
and benefits, timeliness or whether the arguments of the other side applies to the context that the debate is placed in)
Issue Number 2 (state your issue)
Present arguments
“They have told you that…” (present their argument for the issue – only one sentence if possible)
“However, our previous speakers already told you that...” (present your argument/rebuttal that responded to the issue – go
through the summarized structure; don’t restate the whole thing)
Weighing (possible standards: impact, short-run and long-run analyses, best-case-worst-case comparison, comparison of harms
and benefits, timeliness or whether the arguments of the other side applies to the context that the debate is placed in)
Issue Number 1 (state your issue)
Present arguments
“They have told you that…” (present their argument for the issue – only one sentence if possible)
“However, our previous speakers already told you that...” (present your argument/rebuttal that responded to the issue – go
through the summarized structure; don’t restate the whole thing)
Weighing (possible standards: impact, short-run and long-run analyses, best-case-worst-case comparison, comparison of harms
and benefits, timeliness or whether the arguments of the other side applies to the context that the debate is placed in)
Key notes:
• Signpost, tell us what you’re about to say.
o “I have three key rebuttals…”
o “Now, for my arguments…”
o “We have three key arguments: they are…”
o “What does the world look like on our side?...”
o “Let’s talk about the best-case-worst-case/short-run-long-run
scenario/cost-benefit analysis…”
o “Why is this so bad on their side?...”
o Also, little things like:
▪ For example,
▪ As such,
▪ However,
• For first speakers, summarize your team’s arguments before you start
delivering your arguments. This shows better planning and makes your
bench appear more coherent.
• Summarize your speech at the end.
o List key information you want the judges to focus on.
o List the things that the other side is yet to respond to.
o List your key arguments.
• Take and give POIs.
o Focus on the assumptions of their arguments, which you plan to
rebut:
▪ “Your argument assumes that children will listen to their
parents. Why isn’t it likely that the children will do whatever
they want?”
▪ “You assume that corporations will comply with the restrictions
placed by your policy. What makes you think that they will not
use their influence to avoid accountability?”
• Deliver your speech as if it is the best speech in the world!
