Contention Structure
A contention is a full argument packaged with a tag, claim, warrant, and impact, and a PF case is typically built from two or three contentions. You will be able to outline a contention in proper PF format.
Anatomy of a Contention
A contention begins with a tag line (a short label, like 'Contention One: Economic Relief'), followed by the claim, the warrant (often including cut evidence), and the impact. Well-organized contentions let the judge write a one-line summary of each on their flow just from your tag.
How Many Contentions?
Most competitive PF cases run two contentions given the tight 4-minute Constructive time limit — enough to cover distinct angles (for example, an economic contention and a moral contention) without spreading too thin. Running four or five shallow contentions usually produces weaker warrants than two deep ones.
A debater is outlining a Pro case on a resolution about renewable energy subsidies.
Contention One: Economic Growth. Claim: subsidies accelerate renewable job creation. Warrant: government cost-sharing lowers the investment barrier for solar and wind firms, cited to a Department of Energy jobs report. Impact: 3 million new clean-energy jobs by 2030, concentrated in regions hit hardest by fossil fuel decline.
1. What is the purpose of a contention's tag line?
Answer all 1 to check.
A contention is claim + warrant + impact under one memorable tag line.