by Joshua Hu | Jan 3, 2018 | Debate Rounds, From Advanced to National-Class, From Intermediate to Advanced, From Novice to Intermediate, Strategy, Technique, Top Drills
There is no one right way to structure rebuttals, no special formula your speeches should follow so that the judge must vote for you. However, there are certain fundamental elements of great rebuttals. When well-developed, these elements will tremendously increase...
by Emily Rose | Aug 27, 2017 | Best Resources, Coaching, Coaching a Club, Ethos Info, From Advanced to National-Class, From Intermediate to Advanced, From Novice to Intermediate, Lincoln-Douglas, Speech Events, Thinking Strategically
A second-year team went from never advancing to qualifying to NITOC. A second-year LD student qualified to NCFCA Nationals and received second at a National Open. A third-year debater consistently placed first at their tournament. A novice LD debater became second in...
by Joshua Anumolu | Mar 31, 2017 | Communication/Rhetoric, From Advanced to National-Class, Thinking Strategically
The cornerstone of communication. The one ubiquitous activity of which mastery is essential for everyone. The life-skill that is paramount to “Win Friends and Influence People.” What is it? Listening. Just like listening is crucial in life and day-to-day...
by Noah Amedick | Feb 15, 2017 | From Advanced to National-Class, Strategy, Thinking Strategically
I’m never going to forget my eagle scout project. My team and I repaired antique fire ladders for the City of Chesapeake’s Fire Department – but we did it using the classical style: scraping the old varnish off of the ladders with shards of glass. The hardest...
by emilyerose | Jan 16, 2017 | From Advanced to National-Class, Soapbox
“I will never lose the same way twice.” Earlier in my speech and debate career, when I would receive that horrible fifth and below circle on my speech ballots or when I’d lose a round, I would blame it on some judge being ridiculous or my opponent sliming me in a...
by Harrison Durland | Dec 15, 2016 | From Advanced to National-Class, Lincoln-Douglas, Strategy, Technique
It is an age-old (cliche) question: Is the journey more important than the destination? This question plays out in many different areas of debate. For example, one of the largest arguments in ethics is the divide between deontology (focus on means, rights, and duties)...
