by emilyerose | Mar 6, 2017 | Communication/Rhetoric, Strategy, Thinking Strategically
“Drew, this is TP. This isn’t LD. Morals don’t matter here.” I actually had a debater say this to me while discussing a neg strategy. My approach was to focus on how the US as a world leader has an obligation to act lawfully and obey international norms....
by Noah Farley | Mar 3, 2017 | DebateSmart, Lincoln-Douglas, Technique, Thinking Strategically
We all know how hard it is to debate those who have trouble structuring arguments and organizing them. Points are scattered all across the map. In contrast to your claim that they never responded to your case, they insist that they did, and take the opportunity to...
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 Isaiah McPeak | Dec 21, 2016 | Best Resources, Bonus Evidence, DebateSmart, Strategy, Technique, Thinking Strategically
Debate, the Ultimate 21st Century Skill (if you pursue it as such) Ask ten different people, get ten different answers. Kind of like when people find out my wife and I met in a debate, they assume we argue a whole lot… and I politely remind them that “nobody is...
by emilyerose | Dec 7, 2016 | From Intermediate to Advanced, Lincoln-Douglas, Thinking Strategically
“Why should we go to the Chinese buffet?” “Because Chinese food is tasty!” “But the food we have at home will save us money!” “But I’d rather have tasty food!” “Well I’d rather have money!” The value clash of the ages: Money vs. Taste. Reasons to prefer or value...
by Isaiah McPeak | Nov 17, 2016 | Best Resources, Coaching, Coaching a Club, Thinking Strategically
What should you look for when reviewing a case? We want debaters to process for themselves and make intentional choices. If they know why they did it a certain way, then it’s probably defensible. But even if they did a good thing without knowing why, challenge them,...
