RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT AGAINST AN AFFIRMATIVE CASE

1. Establish a strategy against the case that will win. For example, a counterplan to take out the affirmative advantage and disadvantages to the affirmative plan. Or perhaps, utilize one of the team’s generic strategies against the case.

2. Prepare frontlines against every case scenario that we cannot counterplan out.  A frontline is a brief with at least 2 pages of evidence and analytic responses.  We’re looking for a minimum of 3 good pieces of evidence against each scenario.  We especially like case turns!  To assure that you answer every scenario, we strongly suggest that you:

·              Talk with other debaters on our team

·              Talk with other schools--ask the coaching staff for phone numbers or e-mail addresses

·              Talk with senior debaters about any backfiles that will help

·              Lay out the cards and briefs and make sure they answer every case scenario that an affirmative could argue and is arguing.

·              Add in analytical and logical responses to positions.

3. Provide and update specific links to the squad generic disadvantages.  Be sure to write down or lock into memory these disadvantages so that you can do this.

4. Write specific disadvantages and counterplans against the case.

5. Be sure to brief and index per the Team Research Standards.