case building

8/11/2019 Case Building

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ALSA UNPAD 2012 Debate Training


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Defining motion (Definition) Deciding the content of your case

(Themeline) Finding your line of argument (Teamsplit) Art of teamwork in casebuilding


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Defining keywords of the motionEx:

THW Ban Celebrities from Taking Part inPolitical Campaigns

Taking part = Stating publicly that they supportspecific political figure, using their influencein garnering support


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Set limitations/ contexts of the debate Be explicitDont just state it indirectly through your examples

Explain why you choose that particular contextEx: If in previous motion you set it in the developed

countries then explain why you choose it

Justify why you need to set any context in that motionEx: Explain that the political condition in developed and

developing countries are different thus not stating itmight trigger confusion to the debate


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There are 3 possible scenarios: Valid definition (fair definition and set up)

Unfair definition (truistic or squirreling) Unfair limitation/ context


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Unfair definitionChallenge definition Be explicit in stating it and provide alternative

definition Justify why you do it Respond governments case thats relevant to the

alternate definition Provide even-ifanalysis (what the government could

have said regarding your definition)

Gov: even-if analysis = why you would still upper hand ifyou accept opposition definition and possible casesfor opposition if they follow your definition

Explain why your definition is more appropriate forthe motion


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Unfair limitation/ contextaccept thedefinition but expand the context

Explain why the limitation is not suitable Explain why the limitation can be harmful

towards the debate

Ex: THBT Racial Profiling is Effective in the Waragainst Terrorism


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There are 3 types of motion:1. Philosophical (value judgment) motion

2. Proposal motion3. Open motion


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A motion that requires you to prove a certainidea, NOT a certain policy/ action

EX:THBT Prostitution Degrades Women


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Provides criteria/ parametersEx: Degrade women = objectifying women role as tool

that can be utilized by men

Justify why the criteria is validEx: Explain why objectification women role to only sex

object undermine the idea that women and men areequal

Proves why what the motion fits with the criteria/parameters

Ex: analyze why prostitution = objectifying women =degrade women


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Two options:Reject the criteriareason why the criteria doesnt

meet with the motionset the new criteriaprove

why the motion doesnt meet with the criteria

Ex:State that the idea of objectifying women is really

subjective and depends on individual perspectivecant be measuredcant be the parameter

State that the parameter is more suitable to doesntleave any option for womenexplain whyprostitution doesnt fall into that parameter


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Accept the criteriaprove why the motiondoesnt meet with the criteria

Ex:Explain why prostitution doesnt objectify

women as tool that can be utilized by men


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A motion that requires you to prove that acertain policy/ action should be taken AND

that a certain idea is right

EX:THW Ban Prostitution


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Present a problemEx: Theres a huge number of women

prostitutes whose basic rights are violatedthus degrading them as women

Put forward a proposal

Ex: Banning prostitutionexplain in whatform the banning should be done (banningbrothels and all forms of sex trade)


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Prove why the proposal will address the problemEx: Explain how banning prostitution can significantly

REDUCEthe problem Prove that the proposal wont create greater harm or that

the harm created is minor compared to the proposalsbenefitEx: Argue how prostitution will enable women to achieve

their basic rights better and opted for more sustainablejob options

ORAcknowledge that the proposal will sacrifice certain womenschoice to have a job or body autonomy but it will let themto opt for more sustainable jobs and not prone to manymistreatments by pimps or customers


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Three options:1. Disagree that the problem exists

2. Acknowledge the problem exists but theproposal doesnt address the problem3. Acknowledge the problem exists, proposal

might work, but it might cause greater harmthan SQ


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A motion that gives you the maximum libertyto define a motion

EX:THBT It Is Time for Less Government


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Define it according to the: Potential clashes of values that might occur

latest issue that are relevant (more specific) general ideas that are relevant (more general)


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Make a potential list of possible definitionsalong with your stances for every possible

definition Prepare yourself to be very flexible during the

debatedont stick with what you haveprepared, be ready to scrap your case if itsnecessary


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There are two methods:(1) Methodical questioning

(2) Knowing who you are


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Linking back a specific idea to a bigger picture(goal of the motion)

Finding out the most direct impact Linking it to a particular principle or ethical

standard


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(1)Choosingthe perspectiveof actors that youwant to use for defending the motions

(2) Finding out other potential stakeholdersto extend your case

Ex: THW Legalize Marijuana


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Individuals Time vs. Team Time Preparing First Speakers Speech

Devils Advocate Timekeeping Bench Communication


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THBT Feminists ShouldSupport Hijab


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THS the Legalization of SOPAand PIPA Bills

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