Persuasion, Communication and Debate.
We exist to build people up as mature and powerful communicators. Communication is a discipline, not just a skill. Our training teaches students the discipline it takes to master communication. Ethos combines natural persuasion habits and methods, statistical data on communication techniques, and modern psychology. Join us in the timeless journey of rhetoric. We also teach collegiate and high school debate.
Latest posts
Resolved: The benefits of the United States federal government’s use of offensive cyber operations outweigh the harms.
Here's some key strategy tips for debating the NSDA Nov/Dec 2019 Public Forum Topic - Resolved: The benefits of the United States federal government's use of offensive cyber operations outweigh the harms. Want more evidence and strategy tips? We're excited to bring...
Drawbacks of Punishment (Parli Matter Loading)
In the previous article on this topic of punishment, I covered some of the purposes/benefits of punishment; this article will discuss the opposite issue: drawbacks. Introduction (and topic applicability, briefly repeated): As noted in more detail previously,...
Parli Matter Loading: Purposes of Punishment
Matter Loading? In my college debate club/team we occasionally have “Matter loading” (or “matterloading”) sessions for British Parliamentary debate (BP). In these sessions we talk about a variety of topics that we expect to encounter or use in debate rounds. For...
Wanted: Blog Authors
Have you ever wanted to share your views on aspects of speech and debate with an audience? To tell others about a drill you found really effective for practicing? To help debaters overall take their debating to the next level? Personally, I loved sharing my thoughts...
Smaller Faster Lighter Denser Cheaper — Lessons on Energy Tech and Policy
I just read (skimmed) a book entitled Smaller Faster Lighter Denser Cheaper by Robert Bryce. It provides an illuminating history of many of the most influential and amazing technologies and innovations throughout the history of mankind. But the last section of the...
Purist vs. Hybrid Judging, Part 2: Comparing the Approaches
In the previous article in this series, I broadly described hybrid and purist judging approaches, but I didn’t dive into comparing the approaches’ pros and cons. Thus, I will devote this article to outlining some of the main arguments I see for and against each...
What kind of debater are you? The Debater Persona Quiz V1.5
A few years ago, Anna Johansen created a debater persona quiz: from bulldozers to best friends, from scholars to survivors, it could magically characterize your debating persona while also pointing out probable strengths and areas for improvements. Unfortunately, the...
Beyond the Briefs
We are in the brief season, and I absolutely love briefs. I don’t just like using them, I also (usually) like writing them; I like critiquing them; I like theorizing about what makes good brief structure and content; etc. At a broader level, I typically prefer debates...
Resolved: In the United States, colleges and universities ought not consider standardized testing in undergraduate admissions decisions.
I’m happy to announce that Ethos’ first NSDA LD Sourcebook (on the Sept/Oct topic of standardized testing) is available for purchase! EDIT: We have decided to not continue publishing LD Sourcebooks for the remainder of the 2019-20 season; however, we will continue...
Resolved: The European Union should join the Belt and Road Initiative.
Our researchers have been hard at work, and we are finally happy to announce that our first Public Forum Sourcebook for the 2019-20 topic (Resolved: The European Union should join the Belt and Road Initiative) is finally complete. Inside, you'll find five handy topic...
Purist vs. Hybrid Judging, Part 1: Introducing the Approaches
Yes, I absolutely used to sneer at community judging—as well as anything else that I didn’t see as very flow-heavy and “objective.” Thus, in high school I resolved that when I returned to judge policy debate I would be a righteous and noble flow monk, steadfast in...
Tis The Season… TP Sourcebooks Are Coming!
As a young debater, the end of the summer was always like Christmas: sourcebooks were coming! (It was a very nerdy Christmas, but still…) Finding out what briefs were being published in each sourcebook was something I eagerly looked forward to. This year I’ve had the...
NSDA Sourcebooks Coming Soon!
Ethos previously put out a free, 100+ page sourcebook on the 2019 NSDA March PF Topic to let you know what we're like. I'm happy to announce that we will begin regularly publishing LD and PF Sourcebooks starting with our Sept/Oct release coming later this month. We've...
Why You Should Be Friends With Your Rivals
Endless searching and continuing education are a part of any good debater’s appetite. Learning new things, for data is a really healthy mental diet to exercise. One way to do this is through podcasts. Podcasts are unique because you can Listen - and do other things!...
Debate in College
College Debate is in many ways, like other college sports. The competition is intense, the rivals are merciless, the preparation for big tournaments is blistering. Many colleges offer scholarships for various forms of debate! This list is not comprehensive, and really...
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