Ten Oppositional Preparation Suggestions

1. There is no such thing as "not being able to prep" as an opposition.
2. First, examine the nature of the resolution.
   
   1. If the topic is straight-up (this House would reform the welfare state), build a case around the opposite
   2. If the topic is metaphorical (this House would reinvent the wheel), develop general arguments against it.
3. Think: why reinvent something that already works?
   
   1. There are better ways of doing it.
      . . . but it might be too costly.
   2. There are cheaper ways of doing it.
      . . . but the quality might suffer.
   3. There are faster ways of doing it.
      . . . but the long-term consequences may be problematic.
4. Remember: the wheel remains general in opposition prep.
5. You are trying to create general arguments to modify when you actually hear the government case.
6. Organize your general arguments into clear divisions:
   • Social, Political, Religious, Historical, etc. 
     Follow them up with clear examples.
7. Have these arguments drafted on an extra piece of flow paper.
   • As you hear the government case, adopt the arguments that work and disregard the ones that don't.
8. Never forget: your primary responsibility is to refute the government.
   
   1. Do not become shackled to arguments created during prep time.
   2. If they apply to government arguments, apply them directly to case.
   3. If they don't apply to case but do support your side, save them and - if you have time, offer them as off-case oppositional arguments.
9. If their definitions, values and criterion are plausible, do not try to assert new (counter) ones.
   
   1. It wastes time best spent attacking case.
   2. It makes you look foolish
   3. It may be perceived as a way to avoid on-case argument.
10. If government arguments seem too far out, perhaps they are.
    
    1. Use "points of information" to feel the other side out.
    2. If arguments / definitions / values / criterion are unfair / unethical, then provide counters to them.
11. Remember: you have status quo on your side, use it to your advantage.