by Noah Howard | Aug 30, 2017 | Coaching, Debate Blog, DebateSmart, Top Drills
Ever met one of those debaters that just seem to get it? You know, the ones that come in at twelve years old and within a year are winning tournaments along with the hearts and minds of their audiences? Well, believe it or not, it’s not always talent that sets these...
by Harrison Durland | Apr 4, 2017 | Debate Blog, DebateSmart
(Editor’s Note): Ethos has been a long-standing proponent of shell and extend and continues to teach it as the preferred negative strategy and for the most part advocates against splitting the neg. Early in the article, Harrison links to all the times that...
by Joshua Anumolu | Mar 14, 2017 | Debate Blog, Debate Rounds, DebateSmart, Strategy, Technique, Theory
The Affirmative team gets up and says, “You should pass our plan because of X,Y, and Z principles.” Then the Negative team gets up and says, “You should reject their plan because it does not accomplish X, Y, and Z benefits.” Repeat ad nauseum. Believe it or not, this...
by Noah Farley | Mar 3, 2017 | Debate Blog, DebateSmart, LD, 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 Joshua Anumolu | Jan 4, 2017 | Best Resources, Debate Blog, Debate Rounds, DebateSmart, Strategy
Running fewer arguments in round helps you in two critical areas of speaking: in your content and in your delivery. Content Running fewer arguments leads to better or higher quality arguments that are more likely to persuade the audience, for the following reasons....
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...
