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Difference between revisions of "1AR Theory"
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== Paragraph Theory == | == Paragraph Theory == | ||
Since the 1AR is time constrained, debaters often read theory in the form of "paragraph theory" instead of in the traditional shell structure. Traditionally, a theory shell needs to have an interpretation, violation, standards, and voters that are all explicitly delineated. Paragraph theory has all four of these components, but these parts are often not explicitly separated to save time in the 1AR. Consider the shell that critiques the use of [[Counterplans#Theory|plan inclusive counterplans]]. The voters have been omitted from the example shell, but you can assume they were justified in the 1AC or elsewhere in the 1AR. | Since the 1AR is time constrained, debaters often read theory in the form of "paragraph theory" instead of in the traditional shell structure. Traditionally, a theory shell needs to have an interpretation, violation, standards, and voters that are all explicitly delineated. Paragraph theory has all four of these components, but these parts are often not explicitly separated to save time in the 1AR. Consider the shell that critiques the use of [[Counterplans#Theory|plan inclusive counterplans]]. The voters have been omitted from the example shell, but you can assume they were justified in the 1AC or elsewhere in the 1AR. | ||
==== Traditional Shell ==== | ==== Traditional Shell ==== | ||
Interpretation: The negative's advocacy must exclude the entirety of the affirmative's advocacy. To clarify, they must not read a plan inclusive counterplan. | Interpretation: The negative's advocacy must exclude the entirety of the affirmative's advocacy. To clarify, they must not read a plan inclusive counterplan. | ||
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Voters: | Voters: | ||
==== Paragraph Theory ==== | ==== Paragraph Theory ==== | ||
PICs are a voting issue – they scoop the entirety of the 1AC's offense since they make it a part of their own advocacy, and there are an infinite number of potential PICs that could be read which makes it difficult to prepare for. | PICs are a voting issue – they scoop the entirety of the 1AC's offense since they make it a part of their own advocacy, and there are an infinite number of potential PICs that could be read which makes it difficult to prepare for. | ||
=== Drawbacks === | === Drawbacks === | ||
Clearly, paragraph theory is much faster to read than traditional theory. However, keep in mind that some judges are predisposed to vote against paragraph theory if they prefer the traditional shell format, and some judges might also not appreciate the brevity of paragraph theory since it makes it more difficult to develop a persuasive abuse story. Reading paragraph theory too quickly might also cause the judge to not flow your arguments properly, making it a more risky decision to collapse to by the 2AR. | Clearly, paragraph theory is much faster to read than traditional theory. However, keep in mind that some judges are predisposed to vote against paragraph theory if they prefer the traditional shell format, and some judges might also not appreciate the brevity of paragraph theory since it makes it more difficult to develop a persuasive abuse story. Reading paragraph theory too quickly might also cause the judge to not flow your arguments properly, making it a more risky decision to collapse to by the 2AR. | ||
It is worth noting however, that paragraph theory can be an especially useful trick when answering tricks – it is easy to make multiple, short paragraph theory arguments against tricks so that you do not need to spend the time to develop a fully fleshed out shell, and since many judges dislike tricks, they might be sympathetic to your paragraph theory. | It is worth noting, however, that paragraph theory can be an especially useful trick when answering tricks – it is easy to make multiple, short paragraph theory arguments against tricks so that you do not need to spend the time to develop a fully fleshed out shell, and since many judges dislike tricks, they might be sympathetic to your paragraph theory. | ||
==Theory Hedge== | ==Theory Hedge== | ||
To prevent 1AR theory, some debaters opt to read a "theory hedge" which is a prewritten block in the 1NC that contains many arguments that all argue why the affirmative should not get access to theory in the 1AR. These are often strategic and deter many debaters from reading 1AR theory. | To prevent 1AR theory, some debaters opt to read a "theory hedge" which is a prewritten block in the 1NC that contains many arguments that all argue why the affirmative should not get access to theory in the 1AR. These are often strategic and deter many debaters from reading 1AR theory. | ||