(Revised from an Actual Student Team Outline)
Final Outline for Team Debate Speech #3
Topic: People should shop at mom and pop stores as opposed to “box stores.”
Position: Affirmative
Structure: Problem-Solution (This has been changed from the initial rough outline.)
Opening OPP
Intro
I. Attention getter: “We save people money so they can live better.” Walmart Mission Statement
A. Ironic because box-stores have been proven to kill local economies and destroy small businesses that keep money in people’s pockets
II. Operational Definition of a box-store
A. Part of a chain, high sales volumes, over 50,000 sq. ft., wide range of products
III. Both work at box stores here in Buffalo, so several years of experience and have researched issues
IV. Central Idea Present problem and solution: Box stores destroying local economies and eliminating mom and pop (“local”) businesses, so should shop at mom and pop stores to strengthen local economies.
Body:
I. PROBLEM: Loss of the recirculated dollar (money earned locally is spent locally/ reinvested in other local businesses. (Jonathan Frieman, Marin Voice)
A. Reducing local dollar circulation by half
1. Indep. Study in New Orleans, LA (Civic Economics, New Rules Project)
B. Box stores will not by local: can’t afford to buy local and still provide low prices
1. Smothering local competition that provides a more personal, connected service (John Jantsch, “The 10 Natural Marketing Advantages of Small Business- Small is the New Big”)
II. PROBLEM: Job Loss Due to Outsourcing
A. “The Economic Policy Institute (EPI) reports the giant retailer’s reliance on cheap goods made in China has cost this country nearly 200,000 jobs since 2001.” (James Parks, “International Day of Action Shares Light on Abuses by Big-Box Retailers)
B. Current nationwide unemployment 9.2% (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Mar 2011)
C. "If people were only consumers, buying things at lower prices would be just good. But people also are workers who need to earn a decent standard of living," says economist Larry Mishel of the Economic Policy Institute. "The dynamics that create lower prices at Wal-Mart and other places are also undercutting the ability of many, many workers to earn decent wages and benefits and have a stable life." (Larry Mishel, Economic Policy Institute)
III. SOLUTION: Mom and Pop shops keep money in a local economy
A. They buy local products
B. Mom and Pop shops support one another; lead to more local jobs
C. Buying locally, or even domestically, combats job loss due to outsourcing
Conclusion
I. To sum up
II. Box stores destroying local economies; contributing to nationwide unemployment.
By patronizing local stores, can begin to improve local economies and reduce foreign dependency
III. Box store issue relevant to each of us here; should patronize locals
IV. Study showed key to revitalizing is local small business development (Fleming & Goetz, 2011)
References
(Disclaimer: Though they are the origination of the outline citations, these are not necessarily academically acceptable, credible sources)
Fleming, D.A & Goetz, S.J. (2011). Does Local Firm Ownership Matter? Economic
Development Quarterly, 25(3), 277-281.
Frieman, J. Marin Voice. (Weblog commentary) http://sanrafael.patch.com/articles/discussion-topic-mayor-al-boro-announces-retirement
Jantsch, J. http://curious1.net/the-10-natural-marketing-a18723.html
Mishel, L. Daily Vanguard. http://issuu.com/dailyvanguard/docs/2010.01.06
New Rules Project. http://www.newrules.org/retail/news/local-businesses-key-rebuilding-new-orleans-economy-study-finds
Parks, J. http://www.workplacefairness.org/news
US Dept of Labor. http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm
Walmart Training Manual (Personal Copy)