Here is an email on substructure from Billy for all extemp students. It was written for Catherine's use but I felt it was good to share with all...this is national level structure. an example of how it might go is posted on the next post below this one:
Each point itself is independent of every other point of course.
Within the points though I always followed a model where the sub-points told a story or were slightly dependent on each other. It really depends on the type of question though. So I'll start with the basic and then get into the advanced.
Basic substructure follows a very important yet simple format. If she is missing ANY of these components that has to be a priority to fix.
The point first starts with the creative transition weaving a storyline or basic analysis into the point. She has done a decent job with that before and I doubt that is the issue. So she needs to have something creative to lead into each point. It can be funny (MUST BE TOPICAL), or it can be creative or interesting or the baseline knowledge someone needs to follow the analysis later in the point. usually it will introduce the problem, claim, issue, etc.
Then she must say the phrase: which is exactly why first (depending on which point it is) and then repeat the tag of the point. This will make it clear to the judge that the baseline transition led into the tag of each point.
Immediately following a statement of the tag she should jump into the analysis of the point. This is where the A B Impact substructure plays into the equation. (Briefly: sub-point A refers to the first of the sub-points which is usually setting up the problem, issue, cause, effect, etc***then there needs to be a hidden tie into the second sub-point, if there is a problem then B solves for A, if A is a cause then B is the effects, if A is a plan, then B is the execution of the plan). The A sub-point should not have baseline analysis unless ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. That's why it is covered in the transition. Instead the sub-point A must begin to explain an issue. It should introduce any players, leaders, organizations, etc into the equation. From here it has to outline the problem/cause/effect/plan. Then she needs a source in sub-point A. No matter the type of the question the source is her first opportunity to get deeper and more analytical. It should introduce something specific that is followed up by analysis and how it relates to the rest of the sub-point.
Now the transition to the B sub-point occurs. This transition can and should be subtle. It should accomplish a tangible and direct link into the solution, effect, or terminal end for the issue for the problem/issue/cause/effect presented in sub-point A. This can be done either analytically or with a source. Either way it has to occur otherwise the point will seem disjointed and poorly structured. From here on the sub-point B solves for A and/or provides the extension analysis to go incredibly deep. (Word of caution: AT SOME POINT IN THE SPEECH THE BIGGER PICTURE HAS TO TAKE PLACE...She has to make sure it doesn't always go deep, a mixture of deep and 'correct' analysis has to occur. Some things really are that simple in the world. if a nation is bankrupt and they can't fund a project then that is simple. Just SAY IT. Then go deep in analysis with a solution, effect, or plan to rectify the problem). Within sub-point B there needs to be 2-3 sources. One is traditionally going to serve as the linkage source or follow up to the link between the two sub-points. The second source is deep and very analytical (especially when setting up a plan). The third is the impact source. This source should begin to explain, draw out, or be the impact itself. Either way there is some analysis associated with the source to complete the impact. There has to be a "O that's what this point means" moment for the judge. The impact ties it all together.
That structure is very basic and detailed. All the parts are necessary.
Now for more specific questions:
There are several types of questions: How questions, Why questions, Should questions, and Will questions.
Of course other types exist, but they are very similar to the those outlined below.
Type 1: How Questions) A how question is the extemper's best friend. This means it is a plan question. The introduction HAS TO INTRODUCE ALL OF THE ACTORS, PROBLEMS, and the ISSUE. Anything relevant to the question needs to be put in play there and quickly. You need the time to set up the plan in the points. AND THE ANWSER TO THE QUESTION MUST BE IN THESIS FORM AND NOT BE VAGUE. Many times Catherine's answers are vague or poorly worded thesis formats. In a plan question the thesis should specifically have the plan outlined. Example: To win in the 2010 midterms Republicans must establish a cohesive party platform that reignites party fervor and unity, and they can do so in three ways:....then list the three points as mechanisms to establish the platform. If the introduction was formatted correctly it would have already framed the answer as that Republicans have failed to establish a cohesive identity behind the reignited support of the party, had a source that says victory without this cohesion would make party ineffective in Congress and cause a retaking of the congress by Democrats in 2012, and then asks the questions and presents the thesis answer.
Now within the points the same substructure is followed in terms of the transition, A to B to impact analysis. The transition for this type of answer needs to have a statement that details the entire point itself. The transition should be something as follows: In the 2008 election Republicans suffered massive Congressional defeats because party support was not exciting or presumably necessary. Without a fear factor that the elections would be disastrous to the nation then Republicans will lost in 2012 again. This sets up a clear statement that Republicans have to take American discontent and fear and weld it into the platform. This would then be accomplished by targeting important issues such as the economy and in sub-point A the argument would outline how the economy is not doing well in one sentence, say how Americans want a fix, and then a source would say tax cuts remain a popular choice, and then the analysis says whether or not tax cuts are successful it gives voters the impression of help and will deliver specific voter sets to Republicans. The transition source to sub-point B then states that tax cut based economy doctrine will encourage Libertarian and fiscal Republicans to come out of the woodwork. With this specific transition it sets up the 2nd sub-point to allow a speaker to analyze the important states in which this strategy will take the greatest impact. The next source and analysis should talk about 2 specific areas or districts that this platform will turn out X number of voters to turn the tide of the elections. And finally the impact of the 2nd sub-point should be a furthering of what will happen if those districts are won. It shouldn't be just that Republicans win the elections, but perhaps that then republicans remove X committee chair from the Democrats in the Senate which creates opportunity for X legislation.
Question Type 2: Why questions) A 'why' question is the most simple and most mishandled question in the extemp community. The question is primarily an evaluation of a situation or problem. And that is easy for any extemper to do. Just follow the basic substructure format and you will do just fine on this type of question. But anyone can do that...so most extempers fall into the trap of making the situation/question more complicated than it really is by trying to turn the question into a How? or Should?. This is a BAD approach because you will never actually answer the question and will not get a one in the round. 'Why; questions should be looked at as the 'smart person in the round' question. Whoever has deeper more specific understanding and knowledge of the issue will give a better speech because they can explain things more completely. Never take a Why question in an out-round and if you do then YOU HAVE TO HIT A HOMERUN.
Question Type 3: Should Questions) If the answer to the question is a positive then the speaker should use the sub-point A to argue how the problem or issue would be affected by the answer, and then sub-point B is an impact scenario that outlines what happens next, what it allows the actors to do or not to do, and then the impact is a deeper or broader explanation of what that means in totality for the primary issue at hand or a broader issue that it impacts.
Question Type 4: Will questions) Usually these prediction based questions are asking for just that, a prediction. Sub-point A needs to outline the scenario in each point that will lead to the answer. So if it is a politics question: And the answer is that X candidate will win or X party will win then the subpoint A leads to what must be done to win, sub-point B says how that is done, and impact explains what it means in terms of the grander question. However, in a prediction question maintaining the ability of each individual point to FULLY answer the question is critical in case someone doesn't buy on of the three points and then the prediction will hold overall.
This should help. Let me know if you have questions
Billy
