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Difference between revisions of "Theory"
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== Overview == | == Overview == | ||
Theory is a | Theory is a style of debate focused around proving why a debater's practice is harmful in the debate round or debate in general. Typically, theory arguments will prove why a debater is being unfair or uneducational in the round. Although theory is intended to be used when your opponent is being unfair, abusive, or uneducational, it can be strategic more broadly by forcing your opponent to spend time answering your theory arguments, even if they were only marginally abusive. Theory is considered to come before and operate on a higher layer than substance, which means that even if you are losing the debate substantively but can successfully prove that your opponent is being unfair or uneducational, you would win the round. | ||
== Structure of a Shell == | == Structure of a Shell == | ||
Theory (also called “theory shells” or just “shells”) are composed of four parts: the [[Structure_of_a_Shell#Interpretation.2FViolation|interpretation and violation]], which isolates what your opponent is specifically doing that is unfair or uneducational, the [[Structure_of_a_Shell#Standards|standards]], which proves how your opponent is being unfair or uneducational, and [[Structure_of_a_Shell#Voters|voters]], which articulate why the judge should care about being fair or educational in round, among other things. | Theory (also called “theory shells” or just “shells”) are composed of four parts: the [[Structure_of_a_Shell#Interpretation.2FViolation|interpretation and violation]], which isolates what your opponent is specifically doing that is unfair or uneducational, the [[Structure_of_a_Shell#Standards|standards]], which proves how your opponent is being unfair or uneducational, and [[Structure_of_a_Shell#Voters|voters]], which articulate why the judge should care about being fair or educational in round, among other things. | ||