FAQs

1. Can you use a counter plan if you are running a case line on the negative?

   No, you can not run a case line if you intend to introduce a counter plan. A counter plan means you agree with the needs for change presented by the affirmative, but have a better plan to meet them. If you are running a case line, your case line statement must disagree with the resolution, so it can't agree with the affirmative needs for change. You technically could introduce a plan to support your own case line, but it would not be a wise choice. Plans are difficult to prove, and one of the things that make the affirmative case harder. In addition, many judges find a plan from the negative confusing and do not know how to score such a debate. Why make your job both more difficult and more confusing? Pick either a counter plan or a case line.

   2. What is the role of direct clash if the negative uses a case line?

   In a traditional needs case, the negative uses global clash and direct clash. They use the same techniques in case line, they just add case clash. However, there is less direct clash in case line. The case line clash will automatically knock out some opponent's arguments, leaving you less need to clash directly. Since you spend some of your constructive speeches building case line on the negative, you have less time to clash. However, you will still use direct clash for the points your case line does not hit.

   3. Why is SEDA teaching case line anyway?

   For two reasons. Case line requires higher order thinking skills and relating ideas more completely. This raises the quality of debaters' critical thinking and the quality of the debate in general. In addition, case line is commonly used in many places around the world and in post-secondary debate. SEDA debaters will be much better prepared to debate in other places and at higher levels if they can use and deconstruct case line.