The PC Lab (Population Control)

Pun intended!

Thursday and Friday have been busy days getting cases on both sides of the topic prepared. On Thursday morning, we began with a lecture on rebuttals that included how to respond to arguments, weighing, and strategies to be employed. On Thursday afternoon, we spent time in the library perfecting the first case which was due on Thursday night. Then on Thursday night we worked on the second case which was due on Friday. Ben already has answers to arguments typed up and ready to go while Megan's AC is pretty solid. Adrienne is writing an AC that says the pursuit of economic gains uniquely harms the welfare of women workers and the environment which they depend on in developing countries for their subsistence. Sushi's AFF is about how valuing the welfare of workers will promote U.S. soft power which is key to U.S. hegemony.

On Friday, we did a rebuttal drill in lab where Ben read his AC, the lab flowed it, wrote out responses with 4 minutes of prep time, and then gave the speech aloud in a corner of the room. After their one practice speech, each student stood at the front of the room and gave the 1NR in response to the AC. Tyler did a very good job multipointing arguments in response to Ben while Cameron weighed arguments based on the propensity they would occur. Jason was the first to do the drill in front of the group and helped the rest of the group think about other responses to the case. Semmey made some really good arguments in the rebuttal drill and has cut probably some of the best cards in the lab. Andrea is continuing to cut more evidence even though most of the lab has moved to concentrate on cases. And Jesse has so many arguments in his AC that he needs to cut about half of them... but he's thinking.