Breaking Down Barriers:
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How do you write a counterplan?

This answer comes directly from Breaking Down Barriers: The Juvenile Crime Prepbook (1996).

Updated answer, September 1, 1997.

WHEN YOU WRITE A COUNTERPLAN

1. Read Up

Read the evidence for the counterplan.

2. Write The Counterplan

Write the counterplan itself including the planks or sections of action that you want to happen. Usually, the counterplan itself is just a sentence or two stating what action will be taken.

3. Show The Counterplan Is Not Topical and/or argue that topical counterplans are okay

I. THE COUNTERPLAN IS NOT TOPICAL

  • A. IT VIOLATES THE TERM "X"

    (Explanation and/or definition showing that the counterplan violates the term)

    B. IT VIOLATES THE TERM "Y"

    (Explanation and/or definition showing that the counterplan violates the term)

    • If you wish to run a topical counterplan, just say that the counterplan is topical and very briefly explain why topical counterplans are acceptable. Make sure this is okay with your judge.

    4. Show The Counterplan Is Competitive With The Plan

    II. THE COUNTERPLAN IS COMPETITIVE

    A. THE COUNTERPLAN IS MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE

    The counterplan and plan cannot exist at the same time because (explain why)

    B. THE COUNTERPLAN IS NET-BENEFICIAL

    The counterplan should be adopted instead of the plan alone or the counterplan and the plan together because . . . (explain why--usually you include a piece of evidence or you refer to a disadvantage to the plan that is not a disadvantage to the counterplan).

    5. Show The Counterplan Is Superior

    III. THE COUNTERPLAN IS SUPERIOR

    A. THE COUNTERPLAN ACHIEVES THE AFFIRMATIVE ADVANTAGE

    (Explain how or include a piece of evidence showing how)

    B. THE COUNTERPLAN WILL NOT CAUSE THE DISADVANTAGES

    (Explain how or include a piece of evidence showing how)

    C. THE COUNTERPLAN IS ADVANTAGEOUS

    (Include evidence and arguments showing that the counterplan will achieve additional advantages that the plan will not)

    6. Be ready with backup briefs showing that perms (combinations of the plan and counterplan) will not work.

    --argue that the perm would be disadvantageous

    --argue that the perm would not work/is impossible

    --argue that the perm would be illegitimate as it alters the affirmative plan's advocacy.

    Thanks to Andy and Savoy for asking this question.

    Jim

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