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Introduction to Policy Debate

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You want to come up with answers to a disadvantage by attacking the various parts of the disadvantage. 

Answer the link.  When you make a “no link” argument, you are contending that the first step in the disadvantage will not result from supporting your plan.  For example, if you argue that your plan doesn’t spend any money, you are making a “no link” argument against the spending disadvantage.

Turn the link.  A link turn argues that the opposite of the link is true – the affirmative’s plan actually saves money. It can, of course, can be true that the plan would both spend and save money – there may be, for example, short-term costs and long-term savings, so when making a link turn it is also important to attack the original link.

Answer the internal link. When answering the internal link, you are essentially arguing that “A” will not produce “B.”  In this instance, you would present evidence that a recession will not cause a depression.

Turn the internal link.  Just like when turning a link, if you turn the internal link you argue that the opposite of the internal link is true.  For example, if you argue that a recession will improve the economy you are turning the internal link.  While this particular argument seems counterintuitive, there are many instances in which the opposite of the impact could result from the internal link.

Answer the impact. An impact answers says that the impact is false.  For example, if you argue that an economic decline doesn’t cause a war, you are taking out their impact claim that an economic decline causes a war.

Turn the impact.  An impact turn says that not only is the final impact not bad, it is good.  For example, if you argue that an economic decline is good because it will protect our environment, you are arguing an impact turn.

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