As another brief recap, Extemp substructure is the internal organization of each point. The structure encompasses multiple claims and warrants woven together to tell a three-sentence story. As Bradley Wascher explains, there isn’t a correct or incorrect strategy to substructure for each question, but adhering to the following guidelines can make it easier to choose your question and prepare your speech.
Comparative Questions – Criterion / Comparison
These questions generally ask you to determine the superlative (most important, worst, best). “Who will win the election” is a common form of this type of question. This structure is similar to the evaluation questions, which follow an expectation/verification substructure.
“A” sub-claim: Criterion
- An explanation of the metric being compared, and why it’s a factor worth considering
- Claim: “In order to [be the best/most/least/worst], one must [meet criterion]”
“B” sub-claim: Comparison
- Comparing how your choice ranks on that criterion versus other possible answers to the question
- Best to utilize direct numbers and clear comparisons
Example: Ananth Veluvali in the 2021 NSDA USX Final, courtesy of the NSDA.
Who will lead Democrats in the House after Nancy Pelosi?
Answer: Hakeem Jeffries
Point 2: His ability to attract political mavericks
A: One of the main reasons that Nancy Pelosi was such an effective speaker was due to her ability to unite some of the most far-reaching quarters of the Democratic party
- Analysis: Here, Veluvali describes the criterion: For one to be elected in the House after Nancy Pelosi, they must obtain the ability to attract political mavericks, just as Pelosi did in her successful tenure. This was seen when no Democrats defected from Nancy Pelosi during the vote for a $2 trillion stimulus bill. This allowed her to guide the vote of the Democratic party.
B: Hakeem Jefferies is able to do something similar
- Analysis: Here, Veluvali describes the comparison: Jefferies has an inept ability to be a persuasive speaker, allowing him to mollify progressives and gain the vote of moderates outside of political blocs. Additionally, he describes Karin Bass, another top contender, being viewed as “too progressive”, while Adam Shift is seen as “too technocratic”.
C: Therefore, Hakeem Jefferies will gain the votes of key stakeholders within the House of Representatives and the more maverick individuals
- Analysis: Here, Veluvali concludes the point, and supports this impact. He describes how Alexandria Ocasio-Cortex, a Democrat often falling outside conventional political blocs, has been one of the closest allies to Jefferies.
Informative Questions: Example / Example
These questions will typically be phrased more broadly and openly. In other words, they may not ask for a bounded, pick-one, yes or no answer. This structure can encourage strong storytelling and example diversity; however, since this structure doesn’t rely on syllogisms, you may be accused of not answering the question.
To vary up your examples, you can compare big/small, locations, people, and more. As an example, an “A” subclaim may be about a mayor of a local town, whereas a “B” subclaim, supporting the same point as the “A” subclaim, could be about a politician of a large nation.
“A” sub-claim: Example
- Broad and well-developed
- Example (independent of example in “B” sub-claim)
“B” sub-claim: Example
- Broad and well-developed
- Example (independent of example in “A” sub-claim)
Example: Kevin Troy, the champion of the 2005 IX Final. This example is adapted from a previous Extemper’s Bible article.
Is UN mankind’s lone (and best) hope?
Point 1: International challenges demand global cooperation
A: Diplomatic Conflicts → “Entangling WW1 alliances engulfed nations in war; the UN brings nations together without those alliances.”
- Analysis: In the “A” subpoint example, Troy uses diplomatic conflicts to show how the UN can unite various types of nations.
B: Humanitarian Arenas → “Darfur, AIDS, poverty, and other humanitarian crises all require global cooperation.”
- Analysis: In the “B” subpoint example, Troy uses examples of humanitarian crises that the UN can resolve.
C: Terrorism → “There must be cooperation to stop the transit of nuclear weapons.”
- Analysis: In the “C” subpoint, Troy ties a unique impact that further supports the question, a strategy that the best extempers often employ. Kevin first uses the two examples of diplomatic and humanitarian conflicts to demonstrate the UN’s relevance in being mankind’s only and last hope. These examples are independent of each other, and this impact ties to the idea of power explained in that same article.
“Why” or “Has” Questions – Cause / Effect / Impact
This structure is very versatile and is great for “why” or “has” questions. For this structure, you need a strong “A” claim to support the rest of your analysis.
“A” sub-claim: Cause
- The start action that leads to the effect and impact supporting your answer/thesis
- It can be easier to think of cause-effect-impact as because-effect-impact. In other words, BECAUSE of this A point, B and C will happen, as previous Extemper’s Bible article describes it.
“B” sub-claim: Effect
- The effect of that start action that should support your answer/thesis
“C” sub-claim: Impact
- Independent, unique impact going beyond answering the question
- This impact isn’t necessarily required in the point; however, can provide further analysis to bolster your point
Example: Gus Lanz in the 2020 Harvard Semifinal, video courtesy of Daniel Kind, and analysis from a previous Extemper’s Bible article.
Will Abiy Ahmed’s support be upheld in August elections?
Point 1: Abiy Ahmed appeals to vulnerable populations
A: Ahmed has taken steps to promote Oromo and women in politics in Ethiopia
- Analysis: Here, Lanz is examining the cause. Because of these steps that Ahmed has taken, B and C can happen.
B: Will lead to massive goodwill among these large voting blocs
- Analysis: Here, Lanz is examining the effect. He examines the impact of Ahmend’s work to promote Oromo and women in politics, which will be that these large voting groups will support him in the August elections.
C: Ethiopia will be a more representative democracy & serve as a model for other countries
- Analysis: Here, Lanz adds to the positive impact of Ahmed’s past actions. Gus not only explains how his empowerment of people will help Ahmed win the election, but they will help Ethiopia move forward as a democracy.
Various Types of Questions – Counterpoint / Point
This structure can be best for controversial or unpopular positions/arguments and is one of the most sophisticated substructures to utilize. When executed correctly, this structure can be a strong portrayal to the judge of your ability to acknowledge both sides of an argument and argue why yours is correct. However, it is important to note that this may not always be the most strategic substructure, as a counterpoint can always be addressed.
“A” sub-claim: Counterpoint
- This point is the counterpoint to what you are trying to argue against in your B. In other words, this is the point that you are trying to refute.
“B” sub-claim: Point
- This is your point and explanation as to why the point in the “A” isn’t correct
- Should also sound stronger and have a deeper argument than the “A”
Example from a previous Extemper’s Bible article:
Should the United States end its arms trade with Saudi Arabia?
Point 1: Results in greater civilian casualties
A: US arms in Yemen result in mass suffering
- Analysis: This is the counterpoint that you are acknowledging, but is not the point you are arguing in the B.
B: Will only lead to Saudi purchase of more Chinese/Russian weapons, which are less precise/more faulty → more accidental deaths
- Analysis: This is the point that you are making. Although US arms in Yemen have resulted in mass casualties, if we stop the arms trade, Saudi Arabia will only purchase more Chinese and Russian weapons that are less precise and more faulty, which could lead to more deaths.
C: Loss of geostrategic partner while failing to alleviate humanitarian crisis
- Analysis: This is a further impact of why we must continue the arms trade. If we don’t, then the US also loses a geostrategic partner while failing to alleviate the mass casualties.
As stated in the past article, extemp is truly a form of art. No substructure is perfect for a question; often, there are many substructures for different questions. Hopefully, these suggestions can help narrow down your structural decisions when prepping speeches and guide you throughout the process.
In the next article, we’ll continue going over forms of substructure before taking a deeper dive into the intricacies of other components of substructure.