Ask Jim about Debate
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Breaking Down Barriers: Ask Jim about Debate |
You can submit questions too, just email Jim at hansonjb@whitman.edu
Basically, I believe you should respond to kritiks/critiques like you would a disadvantage. There are two differences though. First, be sure to stop your opponents from arguing that the kritik/critique is a-priori (that it should be considered first before any other issue). Make your advantages just as important and just as a-priori. Second, carefully think about what you have advocated and point out how the critique/kritik does not apply. Explain your position in the debate and show why you have not advocated what they claim in the critique/kritik.
GENERAL RESPONSES TO CRITIQUES/KRITIKS
1. No link-The Kritik does not apply to your proposal/to your arguments
2. Not unique-The Kritik attacks the present system as much as the affirmative
3. Turn-The negative position/language is subject to the kritik even more; the affirmative proposal/arguments/language supports the ideals behind the kritik
4. Affirmative arguments are more important-our advantage is more important than any entrenchment the plan causes
OTHER ARGUMENTS THAT WILL HELP
1. Affirmative arguments are a-priori to the kritik-explain why
2. Debate should focus on the plan-not the words we use, not the systemic elements behind our proposal-explain why
3. The kritik served its purpose-we have already learned from the kritik
4. Fiat is not utopian-the judge votes on an imagined enactment of the affirmative proposal
Jim Hanson
Thanks to "The Bosstone" for asking this question.