by Patrick McDonald | Sep 26, 2022 | Platform, Speech Events
A lighthouse (left) on the coast of Osaka Bay, Japan (bottom) stands ready to light the way for ships traveling in the dark of night. Disclaimer: I have begun writing this article from the refuge of my college dorm room while noted almost-poet Gwen Stefani’s Hollaback...
by Patrick McDonald | May 20, 2022 | From Intermediate to Advanced, Soapbox, Speaking, Technique
Now I’ve done it. If I was “rough around the edges” before, I’m practically Ebeneezer Scrooge now—and that’s before the ghosts paid him a visit. But hear me out on this one. My Problem With The Question™ “How are you doing...
by Patrick McDonald | Apr 9, 2022 | Team Policy
Well, it’s that time of year again: NCFCA has just released the potential resolutions for next year’s competition. This announcement seems to have released a wave of frustration and disappointment. But that isn’t surprising. Having experienced this wave several times,...
by Patrick McDonald | Dec 17, 2021 | Concept Analysis, Lincoln-Douglas
I don’t like definition debates. Never have. That’s why I find it such a shame how often high-school debate devolves from a sophisticated discussion about real-world, high-stakes issues into an esoteric shouting match about what words mean. If you’ve competed in LD...
by Patrick McDonald | Nov 12, 2021 | Speech Events, Strategy
I have watched more than my fair share of speeches. Whether it be online, in-person, or in competitive speech and debate, I have dedicated minutes — nay! hours — to this endeavor. Some have been incredibly instructive, with facts or points of view that I still...
