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
This answer is taken directly from Breaking Down Barriers, Version 2.6 (1995)
In High School Policy debate, plans usually have five planks: the board, the mandates of action, funding, enforcement, and intent.
PLANK ONE: THE BOARD
Plank one states who will run and implement the plan. It's like creating an agency to run a program. If you need someone to run your program, use this plank.
EXAMPLE: Plank One: The Board. A seven member board shall be established through constitutional means with all minimally necessary staff, equipment and funds to ensure its effectiveness in carrying out the affirmative proposal.
PLANK TWO: MANDATES OF ACTION
This plank shows what the plan will do. Your mandates should be the specific actions that your evidence suggests is needed. It can also include portions, called "spikes". SPIKES are PLAN MANDATES THAT PREVENT DISADVANTAGES FROM OCCURRING. For example, an affirmative might "spike" out a disadvantage against deficit spending by including a special tax to pay for the cost of their proposal.
EXAMPLE: Plank Two: The Mandates
A. The United States shall abolish all current food stamp and welfare programs.
B. The United States shall guarantee an annual income for all Americans via a cash card system, usable only for housing, food, utilities, education and medical care. The amount of money shall be at the poverty wage set by the Department of Health and Human Services.
C. All Americans over age 18 will be required to demonstrate that they are working in a job or in school to receive their guaranteed income.
D. Those without jobs and not in school, will be required to perform 25 to 35 hours community service each week and to actively seek employment or their income shall be denied.
PLANK THREE: ENFORCEMENT
Enforcement is sometimes necessary to make sure the mandates are carried out. Just like when Mom and Dad want the kitchen cleaned, your enforcement plank establishes consequences for those who don't do their chores. Include in your plan consequences for those who do not follow your mandates.
EXAMPLE: Plank Three: Enforcement
A. Any American who violates the terms of this policy shall be subject to the highest fine and imprisonment constitutionally commensurate with their violation.
B. The FBI shall actively seek violators and misusers of this policy.
PLANK FOUR: FUNDING
The plan usually requires a funding source. Most every change in government costs some money. Some changes can cost billions. As a result, affirmatives need funding sources. The most common funding source is the regular budget, called "general federal revenue." You can also add taxes, decrease spending, or, sometimes, use funding from programs your plan terminates.
EXAMPLE: Plank Four: Funding. Funding will come from an optimal mix of the following:
A. Taxes of 33% on all income generated up to 200% of the guaranteed annual income and taxes of 50% for all income generated after 200%. All tax deductions shall cease to exist.
B. General Federal Revenue
PLANK FIVE: INTENT
This is largely a ceremonial plank. Its purpose is to serve notice that the affirmative will interpret the plan. Some teams use this plank to change or amend their plan during the debate.
EXAMPLE: Plank Five: Intent
All affirmative
speeches and cross-examination periods will serve as legislative
intent for the purpose of interpreting the affirmative proposal.
based on a question sent to the high school policy list sent by Matthew Wyatt