11. Building a Plan: How to Create a Model in Policy Debate

Objectives

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By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Understand what a policy motion is and how it differs from value and factual motions.
• Identify the problem that the motion responds to and its underlying cause(s).
• Create a clear and realistic model that include 

0–5 min – Introduction

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• Recap what a policy motion is (motion that suggests a concrete action).
• Explain why a model is essential in such debates: it shows how the proposal will work in real life.

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5–15 min – Mini Lecture

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Step 1: Identify the Problem

• What is the issue that exists in the status quo? (e.g. air pollution, gender inequality, food waste)

Step 2: Identify the Cause

• Why does this problem exist? What keeps it going?

Step 3: Build the Model
Introduce the three key components of a good model:

1. Agent – Who will implement the plan? (e.g. the government, schools, police, UN...)
2. Mechanism – How will it work? What steps will be taken?
3. Cost – What are the financial, social, or political costs? Is it realistic?

Example:
Motion – This House would ban fast fashion advertising.

• Problem: Overconsumption of clothes is harming the environment.
• Cause: Aggressive advertising promotes overbuying cheap clothes.
• Model:
  
  • Agent: Government media authority
  • Mechanism: Ban fast fashion brands from advertising on public channels and social media
  • Cost: Implementation costs for monitoring; potential pushback from fashion industry

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15–35 min – Group Exercise

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• Divide students into groups of 3–4.
• Give each group a different policy motion.
• Task: Fill out a worksheet that guides them to:
  
  1. Identify the problem
  2. Identify the cause
  3. Propose a model (Agent / Mechanism / Cost)
• Optionally: Each group briefly presents their model (1–2 minutes).

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35–45 min – Discussion and Wrap-up

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• Ask reflective questions:
  
  • What was hard about creating the model?
  • Did you disagree on what the problem or cause was?
  • Which agent/mechanism was easiest to work with?

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Assessment

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• Informal assessment through observation during group work.
• Optional short written reflection or exit ticket:
  “What makes a model strong in a policy debate?”
• Teachers can also evaluate how clearly and logically the model was explained during mini-presentations.

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Tips and tricks

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• Use real-life examples: Pick policy motions close to students' experience (school uniforms, junk food, phone bans, etc.).
• Draw it out: Visual learners benefit from seeing a simple chart (Problem → Cause → Agent → Mechanism → Cost).
• Challenge realism: Encourage students to ask “Is this realistic?” or “Who would oppose this?” – it helps them think critically.
• Celebrate creativity but remind them of feasibility – debate is about convincing others that your plan could actually work.

Appendix

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Policy Debate Worksheet: Building a Model

Debate Motion: _______________________________________________

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Step 1: Identify the Problem

👉 What is the issue we want to solve?

📝 Write a clear sentence that describes the problem.

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Step 2: Identify the Cause

👉 What is causing this problem? Why does it exist or continue?

📝 List one or more causes.

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Step 3: Build Your Model (Plan)

Your model should clearly explain who will do what, how, and at what cost.

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✅ AGENT – Who will implement the plan?
Examples: the government, schools, the police, EU, etc.

📝 _______________________________________________________________

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✅ MECHANISM – How will it be implemented? What exactly will they do?
Examples: ban, tax, reform, educate, subsidize, regulate, etc.

📝 _______________________________________________________________
📝 _______________________________________________________________

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✅ COST – What are the costs (financial, political, social)? Is it realistic?

📝 _______________________________________________________________
📝 _______________________________________________________________

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