Post Season Reflection: The 1N
Preface: As my last debate season finished up with NITO […] The post Post Season Reflection: The 1N appeared first on Ethos Publications.
View ArticleDestroy the Arena; Win the Game
Any Hunger Games fans out there? We don’t own any […] The post Destroy the Arena; Win the Game appeared first on Ethos Publications.
View ArticleNC Open TP Reflections: Shell & Extend, No Evd, Home Drills
On Monday I got this email from a debater I met at the […] The post NC Open TP Reflections: Shell & Extend, No Evd, Home Drills appeared first on Ethos Publications.
View Article009 – How to give effective criticism (podcast)
Cumulatively, Isaiah and Nathan have given feedback professionally for over 15 years. In this episode, they reach into the past and discuss the secret sauce that makes their criticism pop. The post 009...
View ArticleHow to Debate in Outrounds
Just got a question from a debater struggling to win ou […] The post How to Debate in Outrounds appeared first on Ethos Publications.
View ArticleA Glossary of Normalized Debate Terms
For a skill that hinges on unblurred communication, debating can be brutally muddled. Thank unexplained debate jargon, thrown around in every speech. In the 20th century, cultivated primarily by guides...
View ArticleThe Three Things I Keep Telling Students
My Christmas break from college always comes with at least a few requests from students wanting help with debate before the upcoming January qualifier season, which I enjoy obliging. As I’m nearing my...
View ArticleHow NCFCA Could Make “No Outrounds” Work
We were surprised as anybody by NCFCA’s recent announcement of abolishing outrounds for its qualifiers, and moving to an 8-prelim structure. Having run tournaments in five leagues and coached in 11, I...
View ArticleHow To Recover From Mistakes: Here’s A Simple Drill
Audiences dread public speaking because they think, from a whole pile of bad coaching on the subject, that public speaking is about being perfect. It’s not. Nobody likes a perfect person. Public...
View ArticleEvidence the Right Way
In early 2003, the US was convinced it had to do something about the Iraqi nuclear threat. Secretary of State Colin Powell stood in front of the United Nations Security Council, outlined the proof of...
View ArticleCrash 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....
View ArticleMoot Court 101
…I wish you would’ve spent a little more time responding to their solvency argument… GOV team spent a lot of time defending but completely ignored the crux… I didn’t really fully understand how your...
View ArticleConfidence: 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,...
View ArticleSpeed Tip Series: Organization
Whenever you have a question about life’s crucial issues, there is only one place to go: Pinterest, the ultimate authority on contemporary culture, life, and philosophy. Its wisdom cannot be...
View ArticleThings 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...
View ArticleHow Much Passion is Too Much?
Passion can be a cornerstone for an effective or persuasive speech. Many speeches on certain subjects don’t need it, but many do. It’s a hard delineation to find. If you’ve ever seen a speaker with too...
View ArticleA 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...
View ArticleEthics Bowl: The First Speech
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...
View ArticleSpeed 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...
View ArticleSpeed 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,...
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