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Mastering the ResponseTriangle

Solutions for debates pressurepositions

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What is the response triangle?

PM LO

DPM DLO

- The triangle that unites speakerswho are forced to make quick caseswhile trying to respond to the other

side.- Constitutes a marginalized and

oppressed group of speakers.

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Outline of Talk

Rebuttal

LO

Model diagnosis Counter-proposals

Instant-cases

Deputies

General disposition General strategy

The Swiss Knife

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United by the Desire to Rebut

Main goal of rebuttal = to provethat the other side is WRONG.

Not adjudication Take into account net benefit.

Do not use phrases like:

They do not solve the root cause ofthe problem, which is

The model does not consider ____

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Why not?

A) There is almost never a rootcause for a problem.

B)A model cant be expected tosolve everything.

C)Push debating/burden-pushing ischeap.

In other words, proving that amodel does not change particularthings does not negate the NETBENEFIT that it can create.

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Also

Dont be a hypocrite! Debates areall about comparison. When you

launch a rebuttal, make sure itdoesnt apply to you.

Dont be afraid to concede certainarguments. If you cant rebut an

argument, just weigh its valueagainst those of your arguments.(ex. giving money/dole-outs to IPs)

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LO: Model Diagnosis

Step 1: Check for feasibility

Step 2: Examine the parties that

get affected. Step 3: Based on your assessment

of the models strengths andweaknesses, formulate a line ofCLASH.

State the clash explicitly.

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Counter-proposals

Clash can either reject the govsmodel and defend the status quo.

OR it can reject both the SQ andmodel. In which case, a counterproposal must be forwarded.

A CP should be such that, if the oppdefends it, opp continues to opposethe motion.

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Counter-Proposals

Setting up CPs requires the same rigor assetting up original props.

CPs are not there for decoration. They

must be defended. Question: How can someone set-up a CP,

rebut, and construct fresh arguments in 7minutes?

Cop-out answer: talk fast and use

efficient language.

Example: oil as basic necessity

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Instant Cases

Dont force prep into a debate if itdoesnt match.

Come up with something entirelynew if needed.

Just because youre making aninstant case, doesnt mean you stoplistening to the PM.

Make sure youre able to rebut.Youll probably be able to turn it

into constructive.

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The Deputies: The General Disposition

A good deputy

1. Actively participates in helping

his/her 1st speaker.2. Willingly gives up argument that

he/she thought of.

3. Does not care about speaker tab.

4. Has faith in the inexhaustibility ofarguments for a given debate.

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Deputies: General Strategies

Deputies are like the Spice Girls (You give them what they want, what they

really really want.)

If a previous speaker spent a great deal oftime asking for something, GIVE IT TO THEM.

Ex. They never proved political will.-previousspeaker

THEN, prove political will

Danger: make sure it doesnt look like yourecovering for the deficiencies of your firstspeaker. Make it seem as if you are giving thenext, natural part of the case.

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Deputies: General Strategies

Come up with relevant arguments

Common sickness of 2nd speakers: just

coming up with peripheral arguments(fringe benefits case)

But I did not shoot the deputy

Deputies are oftentimes ignored by

other debaters. Prove the importance of anything you

say. Why are you relevant?

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The 2nd Speaker Swiss Knife

Swiss knife:1. The message argument - what a certain policy

implies to the int'l community/marginalized

sectors2. The balance argument - make sure its doesnt

parrot; it should be but heavily comparativebetween models

3. The "new context" argument to break ties -argue post 9/11 scenario, the Lisbon

agenda/info revolution, Greater societaltolerance or Post-modernity (for race/genderdebates)

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The 2nd Speaker Swiss Knife

Even more knives5. Analyzing new actors Who else is

involved? Prove why this other actor is

important as well.6. Establishing normative values andshowing how your policy fulfills this

7. On the ground analysis THIS is whathappens in the real world.

8. Meta-argument: arguing for the argument

9. Insecurities

10. Social battering rams

11. Right-wing backlash (immigration, etc.)