7/18/07, The University of Michigan Lincoln-Douglas Institute

Lecturers: Jason Baldwin and Jen Larson

Subject: Case Writing

Click here for a pdf version of these notes.

I. Introduction

a. You control what is in your case

b. Cases steer the round

c. Casing is transferable in reality

d. Learn writing tips

e. *write the case a few weeks before the tournament, not right after the resolution release or before the tournament.  Keep revising

II. The Goal

a. A speech attempting to persuade the audience that the resolution is true or false

b. A constructive argument is an argument that in conclusion denies or accepts the resolution

III. Before the Case

a. Research

b. Brainstorm

                 i. Sit and stare

                 ii. Work with a team

                 iii. Look for patterns and similarities

                 iv. Think about which are the most plausible

                 v. Avoid the allure of a “surprise” argument

c. 1-3 arguments in AFF, 1-2 arguments in NEG

                 i. Have less arguments that are powerful rather than many mediocre arguments

                 ii. Each contention should be one argument

d. Premise model outline

                 i. The model checks to see if the conclusion is your goal

                 ii. The model checks to see if the argument is valid

                 iii. The model checks to see if the argument is informative

                 iv. Has potential to show the value premise or criterion

                 v. Shows which argument is empirical and needs empirical evidence

IV. The Orthodox Case

a. Persuasive opening (Introductory quotation)

                 i. Topic specific

                 ii. Memorable and attention-getting

                 iii. Self-contained and self-explanatory

                 iv. It is a kind of preview of the case arguments

                 v. Short

b. State your affirmation or negation of the resolution

                 i. “Because I believe ________, I affirm/negate the resolution that __________.”

c. Definitions

                 i. Pay attention to the parts of speech of each word and define accordingly

                 ii. Define phrases as one unit

                 iii. Do not include the base of the word or the word itself when defining that word

                 iv. Choose a definition that fits the context of the word

                 v. Consult a reputable dictionary or find definitions in context of an article

                 vi. Don’t define everything

                 vii. NEG may not need to define unless the AFF is abusive

1. If challenging, state why the definition is abusive/inaccurate and then provide an alternate definition

d. The Standards

                 i. Show why the standards are related to the resolution

                 ii. Show the relationship between the value and criterion

                 iii. Show why the standards are relevant

                 iv. Don’t use “that of”

                 v. If NEG you may subsume your value with your opponent’s if the standards are only semantically the same

e. Observations

                 i. Clears up misunderstandings in the resolution

                 ii. Usually written after the standards

                 iii. Avoid using

                 iv. Avoid the fallacy that if you win the observation then you win the round

                 v. Don’t make a sneaky argument in the observation

f. Contentions

                 i. Exactly one constructive argument

                 ii. Use the following form:

1. "My n^th contention argues that [resolution] because [reason].”

2. All quoted material should comprise of only 1/3 of the contention

3. Explain the argument before the quoted material is inserted

4. Order your premises in a logical, persuasive sense

5. Order your contentions in a logical sense, but careful not to bury your best contention at the bottom of the flow because you may miss it in the 1AR

6. Prove your contentions true and sound

V. A Heretical Alternative

a. Write like a persuasive essay much like philosophical journals

b. Experiment with this…

VI. Writing Tips

a. Use clear, simple language

b. Assume nothing, except assume that you need to explain everything

c. Make writing explicitly organized with transition words or numbered arguments so that it is flowable

d. Short sentences in the active voice

e. Refer back to the language of the resolution

f.  Avoid pronouns

g. Make the case interesting and descriptive

h. Read case aloud as much as possible

i.  Be able to write a sentence for each paragraph and then see if those sentences make sense when read in transition