You can submit
questions too, just email Jim at hansonjb@whitman.edu
How should I file
my evidence?
The answer to this question depends
on how you think and work. Use a system that works. You know your
system works when you can quickly find evidence during a debate
and you you know your system works because it doesn't take hours
to put briefs back into their folders at the end of a debate. My
suggestion is to do this:
- Have one section of your files
dedicated to the affirmative. In this, include your
affirmative case, backup briefs, and any arguments that
you often use on the affirmative. I'd order these by
stock issues--significance, inherency, solvency,
disadvantages, critiques, counterplans, topicality.
- Have another section of your
files be case specific negative files. In this section,
include your briefs against cases. For example, on the
juvenile crime topic, include files on native americans,
boot camps, juvenile transfers, school uniforms, etc. in
this section. I'd also keep my topicality arguments
folder in this section. I'd alphabetize these files.
- Have another section of your
files be disadvantages. I'd alphabetize these files.
- Have the last section of your
files be generics like malthus, growth, warming, etc.
that you carry just in case your opponents get tricky or
you get desperate.
Question--where
should I put case specific links to disadvantages?
I suggest putting them into the
case specific folders and then pull them out and integrate them
into your disadvantage shells against specific cases.
Question--who should
do the negative filing, the first negative or the second
negative?
The answer is both. You need to
work together on the negative and both of you need to know where
files are in your tubs. I do, however, suggest that the first
negative have more intense knowledge about the case specific
files and the second negative have more intense knowledge about
disadvantages and overall strategies against cases.
Use Indexes for
your Folders
Additionally, I
would make sure I had indexes for each of the folders with briefs
in these sections. The index should list out all the briefs in
the folder and include page numbers. This way, you can quickly
find the evidence you need. For example:
| Page |
Brief |
| 1-2 |
Juvenile Crime
is extensive |
| 3 |
Juvenile Crime
is a serious problem |
| 4-5 |
Juvenile Crime
is increasing |
Know your
Files
Finally, there is no substitute for
knowing your files. To do this, I suggest the following:
- Read through several folders
of your files each day--fix briefs, change tags, update
your indexes.
- Do the "Get your Briefs
Quick" Game suggested in Breaking Down Barriers.
Here's how to play:
Have someone state two disadvantages, a counterplan, and
some arguments against your case. Then, time how long it
takes you to pull out your responses. It should not take
more than 20 to 30 seconds. Do the same thing for the
negative by stating a plan and its advantages and then
pulling out your briefs. If it is taking too long--you
need to be more familiar with your briefs and/or you need
to redo your filing system.
- Write the strategies you want
to use on your indexes for case specific folderrs--that
way, you know what disadvantages, counterplans, etc. to
use.
Doyle Srader tip: after debates
where you used the files--put your flowsheet where you wrote down
your overview of how you defeat your opponent's arguments into
the folder. That way, you'll have a better idea of how to use
that file in the future.
Good luck and thanks to Jeremy for
asking this question on the high school c-x listserve.
