1alecture

=**__1A Lecture by Jonathan Paul__**=

**1AC:**

 * Construct the 1AC from the 2AR backwards: If you can not provide a reason for how you could potentially use every card you read in the 1AC in the 2AR, then don’t include it. Not just about what you decide to include, but also what you determine to exclude

Inherency cards are a great example of this Multiple impact chains with the same internal link


 * A corollary---construct 1AC around the likely negative strategies.


 * Avoid cards that can help the negative: Sound stupid, but you would be stunned at the number of times I see teams read evidence that helps the negative. Some typical examples of cards that many teams insert that should be avoided:

The counterplan solvency card The politics link Anything that has great neg cards within the same article.

War Stories: Title 7 Courts Solvency Card


 * Diversify 1AC advantages.

War Story: Greenhill RR TOC Affs


 * Have encyclopedic knowledge of the evidence in your 1AC.


 * Plan Construction:

Vague is good Never, ever, ever, put the resolution in your plan. No benefit, huge costs.

1AR:
Before the 1AR: --Write blocks. Don’t use as a crutch, but it can be a great way to save prep time. --CX of the 1NC is critical---first and best attempt to undermine the credibility of the neg strategy. Only read the cards. Don’t let the 2AC saddle you with 2AC prep responsibilities. --Don’t flow the block. Requires faith in your ability to quickly digest the negative argument. --Take prep. The stand-up 1AR is just a way to show machismo. War story---dropped DA in Harvard Elims

1. Choice--

2. Embedded Clash: The critical variable in turning your 1ARs from good to great. most difficult issue facing the 1AR necessary for efficiency and effectiveness

Embedded Clash Example

CTBT Won’t Pass--Republican 1. CTBT will pass—1NC ev—pol cap gets them on board 2. Prefer our evidence---most qualified cites political insider 3. Key GOP on board---McCain/Lugar 4. Public pressure means CTBT will pass 5. more evidence---CTBT will pass

---CTBT won’t pass---overwhelming GOP opposition will make it impossible to get to 67. Prefer our Issacs evidence—Republicans are casting every vote with an eye to the 2010 midterms and they’ve adopted a strategy that rejects everything on Obama’s agenda. He could only secure 3 votes on a universally popular stimulus package. This is magnified on foreign policy issues because they want to regain relevance by casting Obama as weak on national security.

---All of their evidence is bias---the ‘insiders’ they quote are Obama administration officials that have a vested interest in making CTBT ratification look inevitable.

---Even if a couple GOP senators are considering switching their votes the current vote count proves that he’s not close to 2/3rds. Prefer vote counts because they’re the only objective measure.

---Their other uniqueness arguments takeout the link---if the ctbt will pass because of its public popularity then the plan can’t derail it.

3. Dealing with Impact Calculus:

---Use embedded clash, but focus on YOUR arguments. ---Not turn the case is absolutely critical—develop stock responses to that ---Not unique turn ---Solvency insulated or short-term

4. Grouping is essential. No hard and fast rule, but I generally offer a suggestion. Any sheet of paper that took under 3 minutes of negative block time should be grouped. Case arguments generally fall into this category.

5. The Shadow advantage extension. Modified and potentially contradictory from my comments on choice. Nick Rogan was great at this.

6. Dealing with theory/topicality: ---How threatening? ---Need offense---biggest mistake people make ---Quick theory extension on CP---makes the 2NR a living hell. Generally pays off way more than reading an additional card on something

7. Simple Rule: Multiple routes to victory on each negative argument. Don’t just have theory on a CP.

8. If it’s true, or necessary, it’s not new. Judges give tremendous leeway on new arguments in the 1AR. MAKE SEVERAL NEW ARGUMENTS.

9. Consultation Good: Remember the 2AR is the captain of the affirmative ship.

10. Straight turning arguments in the 1AR: Potentially overrated as an affirmative tool, but sometimes the best approach against the ‘run and gun’ negative block. Only do it, when you are good against a DA or if its your only way to win.

11. Vision. Everything must have a purpose.