1. CASE
CONSTRUCTION
A University of Hull Debate Society
Presentation

2. What is Case Construction?
• Your side of the table’s case is their overarching
argument, what they are trying to do in the debate.
• Each team will have their own sub-case that they will
be trying to impress upon the judges.
• All of a teams arguments should support their sides
particular case, whilst particularly highlighting their
own team’s case as the superior, or that their
arguments do more to assist their side’s case.

3. An Example
• Take the Motion: THBT parents, where concerned,
should install spyware to monitor their children’s
online activity.
• Prop has a number of options for their case. Their
case may be that they want to protect children.
• To win that case, they must prove that this will
protect children and why that is a good thing, so their
arguments will be: It will dissuade online predators; it
will allow parents to intervene if they’re concerned;
children are vulnerable and require protection etc.

4. An Example (Continued)
• Prop may also set up their case as primarily to catch
online criminals (this is a weaker case though)
• For that case, they need to prove that these online
criminals are a danger to society and that this mech
will make a difference.
• Their points will be; spyware will allow the police to
trace these criminals; it will provide more resources
for the police; these criminals can be paedophiles and
will harm society so need to be caught etc.

5. The Basis of a Case
• When constructing your case, you must first ask some
fundamental questions.
1. What are we trying to prove?
– Op in death penalty debate only need to prove that the death
penalty is wrong, they do not need to come up with an alternate
solution to prevent crime, for example.
2. What is our case line?
– A case line can be hard or soft (or batshit, but we have that
covered at Hull) and a good debater can recognise when to use
which one. A hard line in an aid debate probably won’t work,
but could work in a death penalty debate.

6. Build A Pyramid
Nuance
your case
Why is the other
side’s case
wrong/weaker?
What are the biggest harms/ benefits of
your case?
What is the goal you are trying to achieve? What do
you have to prove?

7. Prep Time
• Think about the motion, what do you need to prove?
– Write down what your ultimate objective is.
• Write down your points, and ask yourself whether they
help to discharge your burden of proof.
• Communicate with your partner, ensure that all of the
points that your team will make support your case.
• Write down your points clearly! Expand upon the ones
you will use in prep time (especially if top half)

8. What Your Notes Should be Like

9. The Importance of Structure
• The clue is in the name, construction. You
must follow a clear and logical argument
through your case.
• Lay the basic foundations of your and then
build upon it, and let your partner conclude it.
• Address any weaknesses in your case when
they. Don’t throw in random rebuttal, address
it when giving the relevant point.

10. Exercise
Split into partners. Each team will be giving a motion and a side
(prop or op). They have 5 minutes to identify their burden of
proof and what their case and case line would be.
1) THW create public housing for the poor in wealthy areas
2) THW use targeted assassinations as a tool of foreign policy
3) THBT from Reception onwards all education should be gender neutral
4) THW punish poachers of endangered species in the same way as murderers
5) THW require prospective parents to acquire parenting licenses prior to having
children

11. THE DEBATE
Thw BAN MALE
Circumcision for
under 18’s, except
for medical
reasons