Ask Jim about Debate
|
Breaking Down Barriers: Ask Jim about Debate |
You can submit questions too, just email Jim at hansonjb@whitman.edu
Critiques: How do you write one?
This is an edited version of BDB (1998 edition)
Preparing a Critique
Preparing a critique is similar to constructing a disadvantage or value objection. A critique shows the plan, value object, case, language, etc. does something (the link) that should be rejected (the impact). For example, you could argue that a case that attempts to reduce “terrorism” inherently supports a distinction between war and terrorism that fundamentally misunderstands their relationship. The result is a biased perspective that should be rejected as it ignores injustice and prevents real solutions to acts of violence. To prepare a critique, do the following:
Step 1: Get And Tag The Evidence
Research for evidence for your critique. Look for evidence that discusses the subject of your critique like racism, sexism, paternalism, liberty, etc. You will find this evidence in journals and books, and rarely in newspapers and magazines. Don’t be afraid to use older sources for a critique as the rightness or wrongness of actions rarely changes like other arguments in debate. After you get the evidence you need, tag the evidence.
Step 2. Stack The Evidence
Once you cut and tag your evidence, decide what function each piece should accomplish. Most critiques are structured less rigidly than other debate arguments. However, you should put your evidence in two basic categories:
LINKS: put evidence into your links pile if it says that something represents or causes the offending attribute. For example, put a quotation that says “Military action is patriarchal” into your links pile.
IMPACTS: put evidence that says that the offending attribute is wrong and should be rejected into this pile. For example, put a quotation that says “Patriarchal acts should be rejected” into your impacts pile.
Step 3: Prepare The Critique
After dividing your evidence into stacks, choose the evidence you want to use in your critique position. I suggest choosing one general link card and one or two impact cards. With this evidence, begin making your critique. Begin the critique with a two to four word title like “Racism Critique.” Then, write the thesis of the critique. This is a sentence or two that explains the critique. For example, in a racism critique, the following might be a good thesis:
The affirmative case is based upon a
racist premise that must be rejected as it is destructive to who we are as
people.
Then, make a subpoint A for the link of the critique. The link consists of one or two pieces of evidence that explain why the opposition plan, value example, case, arguments, evidence or the resolution is racist, sexist, etc. Follow the link with subpoint B, the impacts. The impact evidence and arguments should explain why the offending attribute is bad and should be rejected. These cards should explain why there must be a rejection immediately of the offensive trait and not just why racism, sexism, etc. are bad.
eg
I RACISM CRITIQUE
The affirmative argumentation depends on identifying people's "racial" background. "Race" is a term used to make it seem that there are biological differences between groups of people which perpetuates stereotypes and unfounded discrimination against groups identified by race.
A. RACIAL CLASSIFICATION IN ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAW REIFIES BOGUS STEREOTYPES THAT PERPETUATE RACISM
(evidence)
B. RACIAL CLASSIFICATIONS MUST BE REJECTED
1. THEY MAINTAIN THE FORCES OF DISCRIMINATION (so the aff. gets no solvency)
(evidence)
2. CLASSIFICATIONS ARE AN ACT OF BIOLOGICAL RACISM AND SHOULD NEVER SERVE AS POLICY OR AS A WARRANT FOR A POLICY
(evidence)
Step 4: Prepare Backup Briefs
After, you finish your critique, put the rest of the evidence into backup briefs to defend and enhance the critique. Be prepared to show that a variety of different affirmative plans and arguments link to the critique. Be prepared to show that the critique is a voting issue. And prepare to defend the critique against attacks you expect your opponents to wage against it.
Jim
Thanks to Shakantala for this question.