CDL Core Files


Core Files

Browse or download the 2012/13 CDL Core Files, as well as other important Core Files supplements, below.


2012/13 Core Files Strategy Guide

The 2012/13 Core Files Strategy Guide provides a suggested “script” for negative teams debating against an original Core Files affirmative case. No debate team need ever say they don’t know what to argue on the negative against a Core Files case. The Strategy Guide also provides the page numbers for the 2AC answers for Core Files negative issues.

Core Files Strategy Guide


Core Files Politics Disadvantage Supplement

Politics Disadvantage Supplement (Word Version)

Politics Disadvantage Supplement (PDF Version)


The 2012/13 CDL Core Files

These are the official, final versions for the 2012/13 school year.

Word Version

PDF Version


2012/13 Core Files Outlines

Outlines enable you to review with your debaters all of the frontline arguments in the Core Files, both case issues and off-case issues, on both the affirmative and the negative, without the evidence. We recommend that you start reviewing the outlines, to first understand the argument claims made in all Core Files issues, before exploring the relative complexity of the evidence.

Case Outlines

Off-Case Outlines


2012/13 Core Files Ordering Info (Print Copies)

The Chicago Debate League printing vendor for the 2012/13 Core Files is ASAP Printing. Core Files sets are $20.85 each, which includes collation, shrink-wrapping, and delivery, $0.05 per page.

Order with ASAP Printing by specifying the HS (CDL) Core Files, the number of sets you need, your school name, school address, and contact person (i.e., you). You will receive your sets within 3 – 4 days.

ASAP Printing
(e) asap.printing3625@gmail.com
(o) 773-588-2930

Contact the CDC if you have any problems.


2012/13 Core Files Labels

The CDC has produced labels for filing the 2012/13 Core Files.

Core Files Labels

These labels are printable on standard address labels (using the template for Avery 5160 labels), which you can order here (or purchase at any office supplies store):

750 Labels Package

3000 Labels Package

You’ll need about 90 labels (and 90 file folders) per two-person team to fully file the 2012/13 Core Files. The prepared labels will help make the filing process less time-consuming. Simply print the labels, adhere to file folders, and file all of the pages from the Core Files into the appropriate file folder.


Core Files File Folders and Tubs

In order to be prepared to compete, each CDL team needs to have a tub, within which is a set of Core Files, properly filed. (In the LCC and RCC, each Varsity team needs more than that, even right at the beginning of the season, so LCC and RCC coaches can think of this as a minimum.)

As to file folders, manilla file folders are easy to find, and still pretty cheap. We recommend the single (or “straight”) tab (rather than the 1/3 or 1/2 tab), as then when the debaters add file folder with additional arguments during the season, they don’t have to worry about the “left-center-right” sequencing.

Some people like colorful file folders, just for the fun of it — and no one can begrudge them that.

Some debaters prefer accordion (or expanding) files to file folders. Here is a solid accordion file option.

As to the tubs in which students will put their file folders full of evidence, we’ve pulled out several options, which truthfully are not all that different, in look or price (all about $10 per tub):

Green-handled, from Target

Blue-topped, also Target

Clear, from Office Depot

And if you prefer the smaller variety of tub — which has the advantage of being less bulky, the disadvantage of not allowing for a lot of additional files (and therefore arguments) as the year progresses — here are two options:

Blue-topped half-tub

And the black half-tub

Here’s an interesting debate product: a tub-cart.

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