by Harrison Durland | Dec 17, 2018 | Inherency, Theory, Topicality
In mid-2017, I wrote an article describing what the stock issues are and why they are useful. I still recommend that article for a basic introduction into the stock issues, but since then, I have updated my views on the framework. This article presents a newer and... 
by Toby Rivas | Oct 30, 2018 | Disadvantages, Negative, Strategy, Theory, TP
There’s a common misconception that, in TP, moral arguments and pragmatic arguments don’t mix. That’s false. This article is about the Bad Precedent DA—one of the main ways you can couple your principle-based arguments with a pragmatic dimension. We’ll discuss it in... 
by Toby Rivas | Oct 6, 2018 | Inherency, Negative, Strategy, Technique, Theory
This is the first post from one of our new team members, sixth-year debater Toby Rivas. Keep an eye out for more practical strategy tips from him coming soon! Debaters have lots of silly quirks–“debaterisms,” if you will. Things like always quoting Ronald... 
by Thaddeus Tague | Sep 29, 2018 | Advocacy, Fiat, Negative, Strategy, Technique
This is, hands down, the topic that I cover most as a coach. Every debater, new or experienced, has been in this situation. Listening to the first affirmative speaker (or PRO or GOV or PROP), and recognizing that not only do you NOT have any prepped material on what... 
by Harrison Durland | Sep 26, 2018 | Basics, Debate, 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 | Apr 28, 2018 | LD, Stoa, Stoa Resolutions, Theory
Stoa has released their prospective resolutions for the 2018/2019 debate season! You can check them out here, and be sure to stay tuned for the Ethos Voting Guide (coming soon). In the meantime, take a look at this post that tackles a major issue involved in one of...