Constructing a Case

In a debate, as the proposition or government you are trying to prove the resolution. You do this by coming up with reasons that show that it is correct. The easiest way to think of reasons is to ask yourself "why is the resolution correct" -- the answers are your reasons. It is worth brainstorming to come up with several, and then choose the strongest ones. Usually a team should have roughly 3 reasons supporting the resolution, and typically the first speaker deals with two of them and the second speaker covers the third although the number can and does vary. For each reason (sometimes called a premise), you should explain why it is true and why it matters (i.e. supports the resolution. You should then provide evidence and/or examples to support the reason and to make te argument clear to the judges. One way of remembering this is ARE : Assertion (say what your reason is), Reasoning (why is it true and why does it matter), and Evidence/example (illustrate your reason). 

Here are a few approaches that can help you expand your reasons. Each links to a new section that talks about it. One is Actor Analysis, another is Area Analysis, and a third is Temporal Analysis.