In the process of preparing for the debate, debaters try to build their "cases."  A case is a set of arguments that supports the affirmative or the negative position.  This chapter will discuss some of the affirmative and negative cases often used in policy debate.

1. Affirmative Cases

1.1. Problem-Oriented Case
 The affirmative argues that there is a problem that would be solved by the affirmative plan.  In order to establish this case, the affirmative must show that (1) there is a serious problem; (2) the problem cannot be solved by other means; (3) the affirmative plan is practical; (4) the affirmative plan would solve the problem.
 In order to apply this case format to the given proposition, consider following questions:

1. What are some of the problems which are related to the current system (status quo)?
2. How serious are they?
3. Why can't they be solved without adopting the proposition?  Why do the problems continue to exist?
4. What is a specific plan of action to solve the problems?
5. Is the plan practical to carry out?
6. How would you enforce the plan?
7. How would the problem disappear if the plan was enforced?

1.2. Advantage-Oriented Case
 The affirmative argues that its plan would produce advantages over the current system.  For this case, the affirmative must show that (1) there is a practical affirmative plan; (2) steps by which the affirmative plan would produce advantages; (3) the advantages are important in quality and in quantity; (4) the advantages are unique to the affirmative plan.  Consider following questions:

1. What new benefits would the affirmative plan bring about?
2. In what points, would things be better if the affirmative plan was adopted?
3. What are specific points in the affirmative plan?
4. How would you enforce the affirmative plan?
5. How (in what process) would the advantage be produced?
6. Why can't we gain the advantage if we do not adopt the affirmative plan?
Isn't there any other means to achieve the same advantage?

2. Negative Cases

 There are several options that the negative team can adopt to attack the affirmative team.  Usually the negative team combines two or more of these options to make up their case.

2.1. Straight Refutation

1. The problem is not serious./The advantage is not important.
2. The problem is not inherent./The advantage is not unique.
3. The plan is not practical.
4. The plan would not solve the problem/produce the advantage.

2.2. Defense of the Status Quo (Present System)

Show good points of the current system.
Show how the current system can solve the problem.

2.3. Minor-Repair

Show that the current system with a minor change can solve the problem.

2.4. Disadvantages

Show that the affirmative plan would produce disadvantages.
1. Show the steps in which the disadvantages would be produced.
2. Show that the disadvantage is serious.
3. Show that the disadvantage is unique to the affirmative plan.

2.5. Counterplan

Show that a new plan of the negative team would be better than the affirmative plan.

1. The counterplan must be non-topical.  If the counterplan is an example of the proposition, the affirmative automatically wins the debate because the proposition is shown to be true.

2. The counterplan must be competitive with the affirmative plan.  If the counterplan and the affirmative plan can be adopted at the same time, the affirmative wins the debate.

3. The counterplan must be superior to the affirmative plan.  If the affirmative plan is better than the counterplan, the affirmative wins the debate.

Exercises

1. List possible cases for the proposition that you are assigned to debate.  What are supporting arguments?  What are strengths and weaknesses of those cases?

2. List possible cases against the proposition that you are assigned to debate.  What are supporting arguments?  What are strengths and weaknesses of those cases?