Thinking Strategically
How Stories Changed The Way I Communicate
Photo Credit: Ben Wicks. (https://unsplash.com/photos/a-red-double-decker-bus-driving-past-a-tall-building-FF7h8jytvlg) Have you ever wondered what is the most optimal way to communicate with someone? Coming from the world of debate, one would expect that it is a...
Superior Scanning Skills
Source: Pixabay For the first time in history, the modern western world suffers not from a lack of information, but an utter abundance of it. Now, more than ever, it is critical that those who wish to find answers know how to sort through all the meaningless and...
Don’t Demonize the Other Side
Source: Pixabay When I was just getting a good grip on how to debate well, I struggled with winning the judges over. Oftentimes the ballots blamed this on my aggressiveness, but looking back on it now, I realize that that was only one facet of the problem....
Don’t Let Your Opponent Hide From Scary Examples
Pixabay.com, https://pixabay.com/photos/boy-portrait-child-hands-hide-317041/ Most LD debaters have participated in, or at least seen, an exchange like this one: AFF: “When the Soviet Union attempted to collectivize agriculture and industry in the early 20th century,...
Theory is Underutilized
Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/knight-armor-helmet-weapons-sword-1421358/ There's few things that make experienced debaters happier than a quality Topicality debate (Hereafter referred to by the common debate lingo of "T"). That's probably because T is so...
Why Mars Hill?
In Acts 17, Paul is in Athens discussing an altar to an ”unknown God.” He recognized the people of Athens acknowledged the existence of a higher power far above their own Roman deities. As a result, he used their culture to share the gospel and to further God’s...
How Do You “Value” Something?
Pixabay.com, https://pixabay.com/illustrations/silhouette-scales-justice-scale-3267887/ Many (probably most) Lincoln Douglas resolutions recommend "valuing" one of two things over the other. And most LD debaters don't elaborate on what this means, despite its...
Collapsing Is Only Scary If You’re a Building.
https://pixabay.com/photos/factory-demolition-destruction-4757647/ It's fairly often that I'll make an argument and practically be wiped across the floor by my opponent's response. Does that mean I'm a bad debater? Not at all! As much as we would like to believe...
Tiers of Concern
How do you view debate? Which type of argument(s) do you prioritize? Have you lost a round on what you thought was an insignificant argument? If there was consensus over debaters’ most strongly disliked reason for decision, it would be the round lost on an argument,...
Storytelling: Case Theses in Value Debate
(Image Credit: Pixabay) Our hero breathes heavily, fending off blow after blow with what remains of his strength. He digs deep within himself for one last swing and lands a solid hit to his opponent’s jaw. His opponent staggers as our hero lands a second hit, and a...
Platform Perfection: Standing Out
We hear coaches (and judges) discuss the need to “stand out from the competition.” Point well taken. Just one question: What does this mean for writing, blocking, and performing our platforms? If you have ever asked or thought of a similar question, you are not alone....
Make your Playbook
(Shutterstock, cvm) When preparing for a big game, there is one thing all football players are required to know. The game plan. Various plays prepared beforehand to use during the game. What is your debate game plan? What will you say if the Negative team...
Here’s How You Place At Nats Without High Speaks: Argument Construction
It’s halftime. You just got past the NEG block and the 1AR is about to start. You’re feeling pretty confident about your arguments and believe that there’s no way the other team can recover from your heavy onslaught. The rebuttals come around and you just solidify...
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Practice Makes Perfect, Planning Makes it Happen
I know that we are finally to finals and the Christmas season with many students across the nation thrilled to take a break. However, as a forensics kid, you’re reaching one of the busiest times of the year. If I had to guess, you are registered for around four speech...
Debate Is A Game. It’s Time To Adapt Accordingly
When it’s my opponent’s turn in chess, I don’t just look at the board. I look at my opponent’s eyes. His eyes betray him; through his eyes I can see everything. I can see which pieces he’s worried about, which pieces he might move next, and which pieces are going to...