by Clare Downing | Aug 4, 2015 | Parliamentary, Technique, Top Drills
Word conservation shows maturity in argumentation. If you’re willing to stop talking, it shows that you trust your words and logic to accomplish their intended purpose. If you’re looking to master word conservation, then this is the drill for you. Step 1: Find your...
by Isaiah McPeak | Jul 30, 2015 | Lincoln-Douglas, Stoa
Analyze this question: “Where’s the timer?” Doh! Two possible meanings: either we’re missing a device, or an 8-year old. The word “timer” is ambiguous. That’s why I far prefer the words “timepiece” and “timekeeper.” There are many types of ambiguity: Wikipedia says...
by Spencer Kolssak | Jul 28, 2015 | Topicality
Topicality and other theory arguments often get a bad rap in the debate community. Just ask your judge’s “judging philosophy.” They say things like “I don’t ever buy topical counterplans” or “I don’t vote on Topicality.” I find it funny that some people take such hard...
by Devin Radford | Jul 23, 2015 | Lincoln-Douglas
“When in conflict, the right to individual privacy is more important than national security.” Ladies and gentlemen, it’s finally happened. This year, we’re in for something amazing. And while it might not be Half-Life 3 or the long-awaited return of Firefly, what’s in...
by Jared Neikirk | Apr 23, 2015 | Lincoln-Douglas, Stoa Resolutions
(One Ethos coach’s perspective on the slate of Stoa LD topics for 2015-16.) There are quite a few things in my life that make me insanely happy. For example, freshly baked quiche, Lady Gaga’s voice, and nongovernmental LD resolutions. The last item on that...
by Isaiah McPeak | Feb 3, 2015 | Parliamentary, Research Tips
Too many debaters rely on web search. As we’ve argued before (here, here, here, and here), books are the most important sources to explore. Lectures and MOOCs are great, too. But you should also be following or regularly visiting some sites to get up-to-date...
