The 1ST Affirmative's Duties
17 March 2005
  1. Constructive Speech
    1. Introduction
      A. Briefly recognize chairman, judge, audience, et al.
      B. State what you will do during this speech
    2. Body
      A. Present evidence for need for the policy change proposed by the resolution; OR
      B. Provide definitions of key terms, justifying them on grounds such as utility, exclusivity, clarity, and ubiquity; and provide evidence for why this particular definition (or set of definitions) should be adopted over against alternative construals of the terms; rationale for why acceptance of the veracity of the proposition is useful, preferable to its rejection, etc.
    3. Conclusion
      A. Present a short summary of affirmative case, stressing arguments you believe are conclusive
      B. Make a strong plea for the acceptance of the Proposition
  2. Rebuttal
    1. Introduction
      A. Point out areas of dispute you think your team has won because negative has not contested them
      B. Point out weaknesses in negative position or areas where the negative team has changed position or shifted ground
      C. State the major areas of the debate which still hang in the balance
    2. Body
      A. Answer informative questions which have been asked by negative
      B. Point out how your evidence for need or definitions of terms still stand
      C. Present a point-by-point refutation of the negative argument against your plan and point out how your plan does meet need; OR present a point-by-point refutation of alternative definitions proposed by the negative and point out why your argument for the veracity of the Proposition still stands
      D. Present a point-by-point running summary of entire debate, emphasize areas in which you believe affirmative team has stronger position
    3. Conclusion
      A. Present summary of affirmative position
      B. Point out strengths of affirmative position as compared with negative team
      C. Conclude with very strong appeal for acceptance of affirmative resolution
  3. During Refutation
    1. Quote argument of opponent
    2. Tell what you are going to do with it
    3. Refute argument with evidence
    4. Point out what you have done and how it helps your cause