by Kyle Lee | Sep 2, 2020 | Basics, Concept Analysis, Debate Blog, From Advanced to National-Class, From Intermediate to Advanced, From Novice to Intermediate, Parliamentary, Speaking, Strategy, Technique, TP
“No way I should’ve lost that round; I won every argument on the flow.” “How did I lose? The judge ignored my most important argument!” “It’s not my fault I lost; my logic was perfect.” You’ve likely heard people...
by Thad Burson | Oct 30, 2019 | Basics, Negative
We’ve all been there before: It’s the start of a fresh season of speech and debate, you’ve begun building your affirmative case, and you’re itching to begin prepping negative briefs against your biggest opponents. The only problem is, you don’t know what they’re...
by Anna Johansen | Jun 27, 2019 | Basics, Communication/Rhetoric, From Novice to Intermediate, Speaking
Simpler is better. I don’t know why it took me five years to figure this out. After all, our nation was basically founded on the imperative “Never use two words when one will do.” Right? So why did I, an accomplished speaker, still stumble over phrases in my 1AC or...
by Anna Johansen | Mar 13, 2019 | Basics, Coaching a Club, From Novice to Intermediate, Technique, Top Drills
For TPers in the throes of tournament season, evidence can seem like the be-all, end-all. They desperately scrounge for cards and trade for briefs, then head off to a round, gripping those pages like they’re Ben Gates making off with the Declaration of Independence....
by Harrison Durland | Sep 26, 2018 | Basics, Debate Blog, Ethics Bowl, Technique, Theory
Our designated MC (master of ceremonies) begins the first speech. “It’s unusual to find issues on which so many different groups, ranging from far-right candidate Marine Le Pen to PETA to Belgian Catholics, agree. Yet in this case, they all tend to agree in...
by Thaddeus Tague | Sep 4, 2018 | Basics, Coaching, From Novice to Intermediate, Technique, Uncategorized
Treat your opponent with respect. Aside from that, what basic rules (do’s and don’ts) apply? This post applies to TP and LD specific rounds – but also to any debate style or format. Here is a simple starter list of things to be aware of. It is not a...
