PREPARING TOPICALITY ARGUMENTS

                  Use the following format:

I. THE PLAN IS NOT TOPICAL

   A. The Plan violates THIS term IN THE TOPIC

[Include definition and statement of how the plan violates the definition.]

B. This interpretation/definition is superior.

[Write in the reasons that your interpretation/definition is good.]

C. TOPICALITY IS A VOTING ISSUE

[State why topicality is a voting issue—keep this very brief.]

SAMPLE VIOLATION SPECIFIC TOPICALITY FORMAT

I. THE PLAN IS NOT TOPICAL

A. (THE PLAN) VIOLATES THE TERM COMPREHENSIVE

This is because the definition of  comprehensive is:

CORPUS JURIS SECUNDUM 1976

Comprehensive: The word "comprehensive" is defined as meaning including much; comprising many things; have a wide scope

The plan only focuses on one aspect of health insurance--AIDS.  It is therefore not topical.

B. FOCUSING ON JUST ONE DISEASE SHOULD NOT BE TOPICAL

1. IT COMPLETELY UNLIMITS THE TOPIC

The affirmative could choose the flu, one kind of sinus infection, one type of cancer, etc. and the negative could never win.

2. COMPREHENSIVE MODIFIES HEALTH INSURANCE

It does not modify a specific kind of insurance.  Hence, health must be comprehensively covered--not just one illness.

C. TOPICALITY IS A VOTING ISSUE

because the affirmative does not affirm the topic and negative ground is eroded.

TIPS ON WRITING WHY  YOUR INTERPRETATION IS SUPERIOR

                  There are many reasons you can offer to support your topicality interpretations or definitions.  BE SURE TO SHOW THAT THE AFFIRMATIVE INTERPRETATION WOULD BE HARMFUL. At a minimum, you can argue that:

1.          Your interpretation prevents the topic from becoming unlimited making it impossible for the negative to be prepared to debate.

2.          Your interpretation clearly divides negative and affirmative ground so affirmatives cannot usurp negative arguments and claim that they are actually affirmative arguments.

3.          Other terms in the topic support your interpretation.

Be sure to identify how your definition or interpretation specifically does any of the above.  For example, specifically state how your interpretation prevents too many affirmatives cases.