How to Make a Case Using Case Line

Objective:

  • You will know how to use steps to construct a case using case line

Key Learning - Steps in constructing a case on the affirmative and negative:

  1. Read resolution and determine focus
  2. Brainstorm potential case lines and assess based on the criteria listed below.
  3. Select a case line and word a thesis
  4. Tie arguments to thesis as shown below (case statement)
  5. Develop arguments using

Common Problems Constructing a Case:

    Difficult parts of creating a case line Solutions
    Choosing a good
    case line

    Check your case line agaist the criteria:

    • Can be backed up with arguements from at least 3 SPLEEEM categories
    • Takes the moral or practical high ground
    • Solves a clear problem
    • Is a philiosophical position, not a point

     
    Tieing arguments to the case line
    1. Write down your thesis (case line statement)
    2. Write down what things would have to be true for your thesis to be right (given assumptions)
    3. Check that your arguments do not contradict the given assumptions
    4. Check that your arguments prove the given assumptions
    5. Discard any arguments that do not meet the steps, and be sure you have 3-5 arguments when you are done
 

To Do:

Try the quiz to see if you can match the example from a case to the type of SPLEEEM argument it represents. If you can't see the quizzes, you may have pop-ups blocked on your Internet browser. Check your settings and allow pop-ups for this site - don't worry no ads here! If you are using Internet Explorer, you may see a yellow bar at the top of the window. Right click on that bar to allow the blocked content.

Apply It:

The resolution is BIRT Saskatchewan schools mandate the use of uniforms. You are the affirmative. Using the steps above, create a case.

Once the case is created, remember that CASE has four parts:

  • C - the case statement
  • A - the arguments
  • S - the strategy
  • E - the process of exposing (not the fun kind)

Once you have created the case statement and argument, you need to work on strategy. In strategy you try to anticipate what your opponents will say, and box them into a corner.

  1. Look again at the arguments you have created, and try to choose the best order for them.
  2. Save several arguments for your second speaker that will nicely clash with what you know your opponents will likely say.
  3. See if you can tighten your case line statement or your arguments to exclude very strong opposition's arguments. You might also do this in defintions. However, remember that you can't set up the case so you have a clear advantage or the debate is true by defintion.

Key Questions:

  1. How did your case change as you worked through the process? Where did you make the biggest changes and why?
  2. Why is good case construction so important to a debate?

Summary:

When you construct a case using case line, you complete the
      • C - the case statement
      • A - the arguments
      • S - the strategy
of CASE. Being sure your case line is good and your arguments prove your case line is essential to structuring a good debate. As debaters get stronger at case line they spend less time on the case statement and the arguments, and more on the strategy.

View next page - Deconstruction