Definitions

Here is the biggest tip that you will ever here on definitions: DO NOT think of them as important to your case. If they are, you've made the wrong definitions. Certainly, you will need to have them in a round, but you probably will never use them. Think of them as a minor defense against picky debaters (you'll see what I mean).

Don't Set the Trap

The subtitle here is exactly as it means. If your definitions trap your opponent into conceding his or her case, they're what a judge would call unfair. Anything that is unfair is not debatable/arguable. That would mean that a definition that traps your opponent defeats the purpose of the debate, and therefore you lose. For example, let's say that the resolution is "School is good," and you're affirmative. Your definition of school is "school is an institution used for the purposes of helping students, and it is therefore good." This definition affirms the resolution, traps your opponent, and is therefore...a horrible definition. You simply can't debate it.

The Fairest of them All

The fairest definition is the best one. Here's how you make the best judgment on a fair definition: 1) Think of the best definition (without a dictionary) that you can for the word, just as a means of describing whatever the word is, 2) Look up a few different possible definitions, and 3) pick the one that best matches your improvised definition. If you don't know the word, you just have to look over the possibilities, and pick one that you won't base your case around.

It's NOT a Foundation

You simply use a definition to avoid having your opponent claim that "you don't have a definition and therefore his or her definitions (fair or not) stand." That's it. Definitions, for the most part are a formality, an insurance policy. Don't think of them as anything more than that. It's not worth it. If you do base your case on a definition, then your opponent only has to claim that the definition is unfair, and your case crumbles like a house of cards built upon a foundation of, well, really weak cards.

Definitions are just a single part of a debate, and shouldn't prove anything. If they do, you're too dependent on them, and, as has been shown, that's a bad thing. Pick your definitions, make sure they're fair and cannot be twisted to the other side, and you're set, whether you're affirmative or negative. If they're fair enough, you should be able to use the same definitions for each side--and that's less work, which, in the end, is a worthy goal.

by Will Henry '00