From Novice to Intermediate
Speed Tip Series: Making Speeches Speakable
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...
Manufacturing Confidence
This is for every scared debater out there. I know how you feel. https://www.ethosdebate.com/confidence-fake-til-make/ https://www.ethosdebate.com/lessons-from-an-impostor-the-psychology-of-confidence/
When Your Life Is A Catchphrase
“Everybody here? Great. Anna, would you pray for us before we get started?” “Oh. Me? Oh. Yeah, sure! Um. Okay.” You know that moment when you’re handed something completely unexpected? When you’re strolling along a sunny lane and then a giant iguana shows up out of...
Speed Tip Series: Evidence and Examples
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....
Midseason Blues
Here in the frigid wastelands of Chicago, spring can seem a long way off. Debaters everywhere know how that feels: we often hit plateaus where we lack motivation or feel like we'll never reach that next level. If you're looking for some midseason encouragement, you've...
Going on Offense: Spikes, Part 1
If you’ve ever played volleyball, you know the terror of a spike. A player slams the ball over the net so hard you have no hope of returning it. In debate, a spike is a little different, but still a powerful offensive tactic. Referring broadly to preemption, a spike...
Resolved: In a democracy, the public’s right to know ought to be valued above the right to privacy of candidates for public office (Negative)
Resolved: In a democracy, the public’s right to know ought to be valued above the right to privacy of candidates for public office. This topic prep is meant to stimulate ideas (and give resources) rather than hand feed you contentions to run. Check the additional...
A Beginners Guide to Debate Ethics and Etiquette
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 comprehensive...
Things I Wish I Knew: An Interview
I've known Koryn for two years now: from her first-ever debate camp through her first time debating at Regionals just a few weeks ago. I wanted to talk to Koryn because this year, she and her brother/TP partner Kaleb hit that turning point that always gets me excited:...
The Keys to Victory
Here at Ethos, we spend a lot of time talking about all the different strategies there are for winning debate rounds, and while winning shouldn’t be the only reason you debate, it’s definitely more fun when you do. In that vein, here are the 5 most important things to...
In The Bleak Midwinter: Midseason Inspiration
The biggest tournaments of the season are quickly approaching. NITOC 2018 will take place in a little over three months, while NCFCA and NSDA Nationals are set to begin in four months. This may make some of you uneasy. Perhaps you’ve already qualified to NITOC, but...
Confidence: Fake It Til You Make It
Looming ten feet tall, their steps shattered paving stones. The rumble of their debate boxes sent panicked crowds fleeing. Several witnesses reported seeing them breathe fire on at least one occasion, and their refutation skills had been known to make small children...
Crash Course Guide To Better Rebuttals: Part 1
There is no one right way to structure rebuttals, no special formula your speeches should follow so that the judge must vote for you. However, there are certain fundamental elements of great rebuttals. When well-developed, these elements will tremendously increase...
Progress: Moving Past the Plateau
We’ve all dealt with it. Whether you were working on dropping your mile time, increasing your vertical, or improving your speaking skills, you’ve probably faced the unfortunate reality of the “Law of Diminishing Returns”. Contrary to what we may think, people do not...
3 Keys to Potent Persuasion
Recently, I have been thinking more and more about how the skills we learn in formal rhetoric (i.e. debate) transcend the lectern into real-life. Primary among these skills is the ability to market an idea. Whether you realize it or not, we are constantly marketing...
Negative Strategy
National Champion Ryan Collins delivers a lecture on negative strategy.