The Single Easiest Way to Make a Witness Cooperate

Most examiners fill cross-examination with pleasantries, filler sentences, and unnecessary fluff.

Cross ExaminationJoseph AbellNovember 4, 2019stoa, ncfca, nsda, cross ex, strategyComment

Using Awkwardness to Handle Squirmy Witnesses

Learn how to handle the most dreaded witness of all.

Cross ExaminationJoseph AbellOctober 28, 2019CX, NSDA, NCFCA, Stoa, debate, question, examiner, witness, cross ex, cross examination, crossfire, strategyComment

Cross-Examination: Your Most Powerful Weapon

With this at your disposal, you won’t care what the witness does.

Cross ExaminationJoseph AbellOctober 21, 2019cross, ex, ncfca, stoa, nsda, debate, strategy, persuasionComment

How to Answer an Unreasonable Question

You shouldn’t use this question more than once per round, and then only with a question with a complicated answer."

Cross ExaminationJoseph AbellDecember 17, 2018CX, Cross Examination, Questions, answer, witness, examiner, debate, stoa, ncfca, round, tp, ld Comment

Four Things You Need to Know About Cross-Ex in Extemp

At the 2018 National Championship, NCFCA announced that it would be adding cross-examination to extemporaneous speaking outrounds. Here’s what you need to know.

How to Prep for Cross-Ex

Cross-ex is a fast-paced, dynamic battle in which the witness has...

Flowing, Value, Strategy, Policy, Cross ExaminationJoseph AbellApril 1, 2018Flowing, Cross Examination, CX, Cross Ex, LD, Stoa, NCFCA, Debate, Questions, Question

Cross Ex - The Division Technique

An admission is something your opponent says that you can use against his advocacy. And of all your options, an opponent's admission is the strongest...

Cross Examination, Policy, Value, StrategyJoseph AbellFebruary 25, 2018Cross Examination, Questions, Witness, Examiner, Evidence, Admissions

Cross Examination: Two Patterns to Avoid

Cross-examination is difficult, and there's very little formal theory on how to do it. Most competitors just stand up and start asking the witness questions, hoping that eventually, they'll build up enough momentum for the witness...

Cross ExaminationJoseph AbellFebruary 12, 2018Cross Examination, Debate, LD, TP, Witness, Examiner

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