by Rebecca Frazer | Sep 11, 2016 | Soapbox
[Author’s note: For competitive debaters and coaches, even though this article does not specifically address debate, I write it for you in application of Isaiah’s thoughts here. While we may be tempted to think that debaters are well-informed, debaters far too often...
by Isaiah McPeak | Sep 5, 2016 | From Intermediate to Advanced, Soapbox
ERRATA: This post referred to “this year’s national champions” at one point in a way that could’ve meant any of several teams and people. At least one national championship team this year specifically adopted a strategy like is recommended...
by Rebecca Frazer | May 22, 2016 | Soapbox, Tournaments
I always tell my debate students that you should absolutely ask your judge at the beginning of the debate round to tell you a little bit about their background, experience, and/or expectations. But sometimes, a judge’s judging philosophy may leave you more confused...
by Emily Rose | Apr 22, 2016 | Coaching, Coaching a Club, Soapbox, Speech Events, Tournaments
Bright-eyed, bright-minded, bright future. Brae is one of my weekly students. He’s like most of you. Eager to spot logical fallacies, quick to provide well-researched evidence for his beliefs, hopes to become President one day, probably has a real shot. He wants...
by Emily Rose | Oct 21, 2015 | Coaching, From Novice to Intermediate, Soapbox
“In it to win it” is not a sufficient goal. And most debaters can’t differentiate between preparing to win and making winning the priority. Of course, competition is good. It’s a refiner, a strainer, a purifier. It sharpens your skills, weeds out bad...
by Emily Rose | Oct 14, 2015 | Coaching, Soapbox, Technique
We ring in the first practice tournament of the year proudly, with two hours of sleep, double the cans of Redbull, and frantic crash-prep sessions with a coach. We coordinate colors with our partner’s pocket-square, or shoes, or skirt. We try out new cases, brush them...
