Lecture on Topicality in Debate

Definition

• Topicality (T): Question of whether the affirmative team's plan falls within the resolution's scope.
• A Priori Issue: Considered before any other stock issue or argument in debate.

Importance

• If the negative team proves that the affirmative team's plan is not topical, the affirmative team loses the debate.
• Topicality prevents teams from presenting plans unrelated to the resolution.

Example

• Resolution: Renewable energies.
  • Affirmative plan on reducing meat consumption is not topical.

Key Questions for Topicality

1. Actor of the Plan:

   • Must be the United States federal government.
   • Plans focusing on other actors like state governments or cities are not topical.

2. Substantial Reduction:

   • Debate over what constitutes a substantial reduction.
   • Examples:
     • Demilitarizing police vs. minor changes in police departments.

3. Criminal Justice Reform in Specific Areas:

   • Must address forensic science, policing, or sentencing.
   • Example: Space exploration funding is not criminal justice reform.

Topicality in Debate

• 1AC: Topicality is not brought up; focuses on harms, inherency, plan text, and solvency.
• 1NC: Negative team introduces topicality.
• Evidence: Can clarify arguments but not always necessary.

Example Case

• Resolution on education reform.
  • Affirmative plan required mandatory vaccines for students.
  • Debate on whether this is topical under education reform.
  • Negative: Education reform should focus on teaching and curriculum.
  • Affirmative: Vaccines affect education by preventing disease-related school closures.

Subjectivity in Topicality

• No objective rules or referees like in sports.
• Persuasion determines if a plan is topical.
• Winning topicality in one debate does not guarantee future wins.

Conclusion

• Topicality is a crucial concept in debate.
• Always subject to debate and requires strong argumentation.
• More examples and clarity will be provided in future speeches.