Core Files

WUDL provides starter sample cases that lets new students hit the ground running and provides an array of arguments about the year's topic. Participants in the Rookie and Novice Division are limited to using evidence from the core files, while Varsity debaters may use any evidence they wish and write their own cases.

*** New for 2025***
Students in JV may begin conducting research, but must make the same thesis claims as existing files (updating or improving evidence, etc).

Accordion Content

Biodiversity Aff / Neg (Coming Soon)

Critical Minerals Aff / Neg (Coming Soon)

All evidence coming soon

Affirmatives:

  • Arctic Power (Aff / Neg)
  • Fishery  Management (Aff / Neg)
  • Hidden Figures (Aff / Neg)

Generic “Off Case” Arguments: 

  • Trump Base Disadvantage
  • Latin America Focus Disadvantage
  • Environment Disadvantage
  • Relations Disadvantages
  • Indigenous Sovereignty Disadvantage / Consult the Indigenous Counterplan
  • Economy Disadvantage
  • Energy Disadvantage
  • Topicality Toolbox
  • Arctic Council Counterplan
  • Apocalyptic Rhetoric Kritik
  • Kritik Toolbox
  • Generic Answers to Kritiks
Accordion Content
  • 2015-2016 Surveillance Topic
  • 2016-2017 China Topic
  • 2017-2018 Education Topic
  • 2018-2019 Immigration Topic
  • 2019-20 Arms Sales Topic
  • 2020-21 Criminal Justice Reform Topic
  • 2021-22 Water Topic
  • 2022-23 NATO / Emerging Tech Topic

Files are designed to build upon one another to develop a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the topics and help students understand different argument structures. As you advance from one division to the next (Novice to JV, for example) you should not get rid of the arguments you used previously but add to them. For example:

Rookie:

  • 1 Affirmative
  • Negative On Case Argument

Novice:

  • 2 Affirmatives (1 new, plus Rookie)
  • Negative On Case Arguments
  • Introduce “Off Case” Arguments (1 Disadvantage and Topicality)

JV:

  • 5 Aff (3 new plus Rookie and Novice)
  • Negative On Case Arguments
  • Negative Off Case Arguments
  • More Disadvantages, Introducing Counterplans and Kritiks

Varsity:

  • No evidence rules, just disclosure.

Once students get to JV, they are encouraged to start learning the research process. JV students can update, but not change the thesis of, core files, (while using proper citations for your evidence). Varsity students have no restrictions on their argumentation. Students writing their own cases are definitely ready for Varsity.

Students using any evidence outside the WUDL Core Files should maintain an updated disclosure on our website. For more information about disclosure, click here.