The Perfect Case:

Imagine the debate team that has the epitome of great content. Their case is exciting. It is easy to understand, well organized and very persuasive. Not only that, but it makes the opponent's case less attractive. Finally, it is harder to attack.

Case line construction meets all of these criteria and it has a comparative advantage over SEDA's standard needs case. Once you master case line, your debates become much closer to the hypothetical example above. The neat thing about case line is you get all the characteristics from the hypothetical example, regardless of whether you are on the affirmative or the negative, and you get a better way to clash, too.

By the end of the tutorial you should be able to:

1. Identify the key argument in a resolution and show how it relates to each side
2. Make a case line statement and relate arguments to case line
3. Identify an opponent’s case line
4. Differentiate between global and direct clash
5. Group case lines into SPLEEEM categories
6. Differentiate between a rebuttal and a reply
7. State the steps of building a negative constructive case

Using these resources:

These resources are designed to help alumni who have been SEDA debaters understand case line. They are an introduction to the concepts, not an advanced tool set. To access the materials, move from top to bottom of the buttons on the left until you get to final speeches. Additional support materials including FAQs, a glossary, a compilation of the quizzes and some resources for teaching case line are also included.

For additional information on case line, please contact the Saskatchewan Elocution and Debate Association.