We’ve established that Specification is important. But running it straight probably won’t work. Fortunately, there’s a persuasive workaround. It works on any judge regardless of training or background. And it all starts in cross-examination.

The Routine

In cross-ex, ask direct questions about what the plan does. Make them as simple and obvious as you can. Then relentlessly stay on that question until you either get an answer - any answer - or the affirmative refuses to give one. This is simple in theory but requires tremendous discipline in action.

• Resolved: The United States should invade a country.

• Aff: There are hundreds of countries, invading at least one would probably be good.

Cross-Examination

• Neg: Which country should the United States invade?

• Aff: Well, there are lots of possible options.

• Neg: Like what?

• Aff: Morocco for one.

• Neg: So the aff position is that Morocco should be invaded?

• Aff: Among others, that’s just an example.

• Neg: Hang on, we’ll get to those. But first, just so we’re 100% on the same page: is it the aff position that Morocco should be invaded?

• Aff: Yes.

• Neg: What other countries?

• Aff: Lots.

• Neg: Go ahead and list them for me. I want to know every country that you want to invade.

This is a very reasonable routine. You’re just asking the affirmative what their position is. Either they give you a straight answer - which takes us more-or-less out of spec territory - or they don’t, in which case you’re set up for the fun to come.

Here are a few tips on executing this routine effectively.

Offer Plan Examples

If the aff is being particularly evasive, volunteer a position for them to respond to. Even if they don’t explicitly reject, they’ll burn a lot of credibility with the judge. And it’ll be impossible for them to come back later and claim a position that they refused to own in cross-ex.

• Neg: Which country should the United States invade?

• Aff: Well, there are lots of possible options.

• Neg: Like what?

• Aff: We’re looking more at the broad concept of invasion.

• Neg: What I’m asking you about is specifics. For example: should the United States invade Morocco?

• Aff: I think there’s a lot of good to be said about it.

• Neg: Does that mean you support it?

• Aff: Our position is more broad than that.

• Neg: So to be clear: it is not your position that the United States should invade Morocco?

• Aff: Perhaps not Morocco, but other countries.

Let Them Hide

If the affirmative refuses to give a position, that’s fine! You can punish them with the Secret Spec maneuver we’ll detail in the next post. Don’t get heated; don’t say: “Answer the question, yes or no!” You are fine with them hiding. Just confirm that they don’t have a position and move on. Of course, that confirmation will probably still do a lot of damage to the affirmative.

• Neg: So to be clear: it is not your position that the United States should invade Morocco?

• Aff: We’re not explicitly saying that invading Morocco is a good idea, but that doesn’t mean it should be written off.

• Neg: Just so we’re clear: you are not saying that the United States should invade Morocco. Correct?

• Aff: We’re not saying it, and we’re not not saying it.

• Neg: Okay, so what’s a country that you are saying should be invaded?

• Aff: As I said earlier, we’re talking more about the general concept of invasion.

• Neg: So you won’t name any countries that should be invaded?

• Aff: Not a specific country.

• Neg: Okay, just so I don’t misquote you later. Your position is that the United States should invade a country, but you can’t name a single country that the United States should invade?

• Aff: Correct.

Live rounds will probably be less dramatic. You might be pushing for funding specifics, for example. But the principle still holds. Against a squirmy affirmative, this simple routine is guaranteed to yield a useful result. Either you get a clear position to argue against, or the aff forfeits the opportunity to have a position.

Bonus Routine

Against exceptionally squirmy affs, ask them to name one Plan they definitely don’t support.

• Neg: Can you name a country that we shouldn’t invade?

• Aff: No.

Stop there. The real damage comes in the following speech.

Non-whiny, theory-lite Secret Spec is coming soon. Stay tuned.