Additional Comparison Types

There are a few more types of IC you will find useful in specific situations. These are less common and often more difficult to argue. Don’t forget that you can combine these comparisons with the three basic comparisons of probability, timeframe, and magnitude.

1. IMPACT INCLUSIVITY:

one impact is inclusive of the other. Your impact should include your opponents’ impact; your impact supersedes theirs.

Example: Creating a regional war is inclusive of war with one country in the region, a moratorium on offshore oil drilling includes increased regulation of the industry, and an economic downturn includes the downturn of a specific market.

2. INTERNAL LINK SHORT CIRCUITING:

one impact prevents another impact from happening. An impact (either yours or your opponents’) prevents an impact on the other side from occurring.

Example: A moratorium on offshore oil drilling prevents the oil industry from self-correcting because the action would hinder the industry financially.

3. REVERSIBILITY:

one impact is reversible and one impact is permanent. It depends on the topic whether reversibility is desirable.

Example: Civil liberties lost in the name of security during a time of crisis can be restored later, but deaths caused by a lack of security are irreversible. Jobs lost in an offshore oil-drilling moratorium can be restored later, but environmental harm done by oil spills is irreversible.