LD RESEARCHERS—FOLLOW THESE
EXPECTATIONS
FOR LD ASSIGNMENTS, INCLUDE:
1. Essay discussing the topic (roughly 7-8 pages).
--Discuss aff and negative arguments, strategies, potential
philosophical and conceptual arguments debaters can make.
2. Definitions and discussion. In this section we provide
several definitions of key words in the resolution and then we have a paragraph
after each word that discusses the implications of the definitions for the
debate round and topic. (This is typically a total of 2-3 pages).
3. Annotated Bib for the internet and for scholarly
sources. This includes key sources and a short paragraph discussing what the
source will provide to the student researcher. (Typically, 3-4 pages).
4. AFF: Sample aff case (about 2-3 pages).
5. AFF Extension evidence/blocks for the aff case (about
6-7 pages).
6. NEG: Sample neg. case (about 2-3 pages).
7. NEG Extension evidence/blocks for the neg case (about
6-7 pages).
TOTAL PAGES: 30-35 PAGES
IN LENGTH.
ALL FIRST TIME WEST COAST RESEARCHERS—you
need to turn in two pages of work to Matt to be reviewed to assure you are
doing your work right. This is recommended for returning workers too.
1) USE QUALITY, RELEVANT EVIDENCE.
--When people look at
the evidence, we want them to think “this is salient, quality stuff.”
--If the issue is
timely (e.g., uniqueness, current policy)—it should be VERY RECENT.
--Otherwise, quality,
salient, relevant, up-to-date materials are good.
2) USE DIVERSITY OF QUALITY SOURCES.
--Don’t overuse
one source for your evidence
--Minimize the use
of less credible sites such as blogs, Reuters, “crazy ideologue websites,” etc.
--TRY TO GET
QUALIFIED EXPERTS
--You may not turn
in material from sources such as Lexis if you do not have legal access to use
that source for BUSINESS PURPOSES such as our handbooks.
3) USE QUALITY EVIDENCE THAT GIVES WARRANTS
4) INCLUDE AT LEAST 3 PIECES OF EVIDENCE ON A PAGE.
--Evidence longer
than that is too long for our market—our customers don’t like it. Need an
exception to use just one or two cards? Contact the editor.
--Got a page that
isn’t filled up? Fill it up with evidence please.
5) CITATION
FORMAT. Make sure your citations look like this:
For regular
citations:
June Jones,
District Attorney, September 12, 2008, The Legal News, p. 12.
For web citations:
Harry Bustamente,
Professor of Psychology, April 1, 2008, Mental Health Web Page, accessed
6/4/2008, www.mentalhealthweb.com/psycho/helpers/tips23.htm
NOTE: YOU DO NOT NEED
A PAGE NUMBER FOR WEB PAGE CITATIONS.
NOTE: YOU DO NOT
INCLUDE TITLES OF JOURNAL/NEWSPAPER ARTICLES.
6) REMOVE FOOTNOTES!
Remove ALL footnotes
that were in the original articles; that includes footnotes that look like this
*83
[76]
19
7) ALL EVIDENCE/LD WORK IS SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY.
Email it to Matt.
8) USE TIMES ROMAN 10 POINT FONT.
Use 1 inch margins
ALL THE WAY AROUND.
9) DO NOT FORMAT YOUR DOCUMENT IN ANY WAY EXCEPT TO BOLD
TAGS.
Please do NOT use
styles, formatting, italicizing, etc. in your document.
10) WHAT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR ASSIGNMENTS
Keep in contact with Matt for details.
Exact page expectations vary depending on the topic and specific assignment.