2 Reasons to Prefer a Definition (When the Affirmative is Being Silly)

This is a real definition.

Case Writing, StrategyJoseph AbellApril 10, 2020persuasion, logic, definition, debate, stoa, ncfca, nsdaComment

Anatomy of a Persuasive Device

There are three components: the Pressure, the Release, and the Reward.

PersuasionJoseph AbellMarch 17, 2020stoa, ncfca, nsda, persuasion, debate Comment

Team Dynamics 6: Final Decision

Here’s how you synthesize it all into a decision.

StrategyJoseph AbellJanuary 27, 2020persona, persuasion, persona diamond, debate, nsda, ncfca, stoa Comment

Team Dynamics 5: Rebuttals

Let’s finish our tour of parli speaking styles with the rebuttals.

PersuasionJoseph AbellJanuary 21, 2020stoa, ncfca, debate, coach, private, parli, speaking, styles, persuasionComment

Team Dynamics 3: Opening Speeches

Each speech has specific goals that lend themselves to particular speaking styles.

PersuasionJoseph AbellJanuary 6, 2020stoa, ncfca, debate, partner, parli, speaking styles, strategy, persuasion Comments

Team Dynamics 1: General Considerations

Great question, Benjamin! There’s a lot to explore here.

PersuasionJoseph AbellDecember 16, 2019stoa, nsda, ncfca, team, partner, dynamics, speaking, persuasion, persona diamond, debate, topic, parli, resolution Comments

Special Delivery Part 6: Why Humor is Not For Everyone

Over the last few posts, we explored the difference between universal and specialized skills and how to use them to maximize your performance. Today, we tackle humor.

PersuasionJoseph AbellDecember 11, 2019humor, funny, persuasion, special delivery, joseph abel, joseph abell, coach joseph, stoa, ncfca, nsda, debate, speechComment

Special Delivery Part 5: Picking a Specialization

Remember: all specialized skills come with tradeoffs.

PersuasionJoseph AbellNovember 30, 2019persuasion, debate, speech, listen, specialization, strategy, likability, persona diamondComment

Special Delivery Part 4: Identifying Strengths and Weaknesses

Let’s talk about how to use your last tournament as a diagnostic.

PersuasionJoseph AbellNovember 22, 2019persuasion, ncfca, debate, stoa, likability, strategy, comments, judge, feedback, ballots, progressComment

Special Delivery Part 3: The Four Core Delivery Skills

Each area has tradeoffs with the other three.

PersuasionJoseph AbellNovember 8, 2019stoa, ncfca, ld, tp, nsda, persona diamond, persuasionComment

Special Delivery Part 2: Specialized Skills

With enough training, study, and practice, a debater naturally grows into the second level: specialized skills.

PersuasionJoseph AbellNovember 1, 2019stoa, ncfca, debate, res, persuasion, strategy, likabilityComment

(Reader Question) Special Delivery Part 1: Universal Skills

Welcome to the first installment of an 8-part series on likability.

PersuasionJoseph AbellOctober 25, 2019stoa, ncfca, debate, case, delivery, likability, persuasion, reader questionComment

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

3 Ways to Tell if You're Credible

Winning a decisive victory is almost impossible if the judge doesn’t trust your personal expertise.

PersuasionJoseph AbellApril 24, 2019stoa, ncfca, debate, presentation, credibility, trust, judge, persuasion, strategy Comments

Welcome to Base Camp.

Both of us will be joined by assistant coach Sam Wooddell, the National TP Champion from NITOC 2018.

CampsJoseph AbellFebruary 25, 2019stoa, nitoc, debate, preparation, registration, tp, team policy, ld, lincoln douglas, value, team, strategy, persuasionComment

How to Criticize America

It is virtually impossible to compete in academic debate without ever criticizing the country in which you live.

Persuasion, PolicyDrew MagnessFebruary 20, 2019Patriotism, Persuasion, persuasion, Team p, Lincoln Douglas, judgeComment

3 Ways to Make Privacy Matter

Affirmative momentum is easy. Here’s how to take the reins as negative.

PersuasionDrew MagnessFebruary 11, 2019privacy, stoa, aff, ld, persuasion, advocacy, resolution, Criminal Procedure, criminal procedure, truth-seeking, privacy rights, governmentComment

For Judges: Giving Ballot Feedback

“Hey Drew and Joe! I love judging, but don’t always feel like I’m very good at giving constructive feedback and encouragement.”

Persuasion, LifeJoseph AbellDecember 19, 2018stoa, ncfca, debate, round, judge, argumentation, argument, persuasion, confusion, organization, clarity, feedback, criticism, constructiveComment

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