The Most Common Mistakes People Make at Nationals (Part 2)

Last time, we covered three mistakes people make at Nationals. Here are three more.

Strategy, LifeJoseph AbellMay 9, 2018NITOC, Preparation, Energy, Stoa, Debate, Camp, Motivation, Debate Nationals, National ChampionshipComment

The Most Common Mistakes People Make at Nationals (Part 1)

Nationals is right around the corner! Debate like a veteran by avoiding these common mistakes.

Stoa Voting Guide 2018-19: Policy Resolutions

Stoa's new policy resolutions are out. Let's take a look!

Stoa Voting Guide 2018-19: Value Resolutions

Stoa's LD resolutions are out. Let's take a look!

Strategy, AdvancedJoseph AbellApril 25, 2018Stoa, Resolution, Debate, 2018, 2019, Season, Biomedical, Life, Criminal Procedure, Truth Seeking, Gun Control, Second AmmendmentComment

Ending the Speech: A Diagnostic

Concluding a speech is difficult. Let's talk about how to do it in a meaningful way.

PersuasionJoseph AbellApril 18, 2018Speaking, Speech, Debate, Delivery, Value, Policy, Parli, Persuasion

Three Ways to Run Counter-Warrants

Counter-warrants are an advanced strategy. Here are three general templates you can use to set yours apart...

Winning with Evidence: The Counter-Warrant Strategy

We've already talked about argument structure. Now we dive headfirst into something known as counter-warrant strategy.

Strategy, Value, PolicyJoseph AbellApril 8, 2018Counter Warrant, Warrant, Policy, Stoa, NCFCA, Evidence, Debate, Team Policy, LD

Behold, the Value Link

Last time we unpacked what values are, and then how to create them. Now we talk about how to run them...

Case Writing, Value, Theory, LogicJoseph AbellApril 4, 2018Value, Link, Value Link, Debate, Theory, Parli, Stoa, NCFCA, NSDA, Preemptive Warfare, Resolution, Case Writing

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

Creating Voting Issues

A voting issue (or “voter”) is a reason for the...

Strategy, Policy, Parli, ValueJoseph AbellMarch 29, 2018voting issues, LD, TP, Strategy, Stoa, NCFCA, ParliComment

When Should I Run Definitions?

Logically, the first step to prove a resolution is to...

The Economy of Complexity

Most economics classes begin by explaining the problem of...

Comprehension, Case Writing, StrategyJoseph AbellMarch 20, 2018Debate, Case Writing, Comprehension, Structure, Theory

What My Students Know About Potential

I just got back from my Phoenix camp. This is the second...

Life, CoachingJoseph AbellMarch 17, 2018Debate Camp, Life, Skill, Stoa, Team Policy, Lincoln Douglas

Parli: Identifying Moral Charges

Resolutions have 3 basic moral charges. Each calls for a significant shift in the kinds of arguments you run...

Parli, StrategyJoseph AbellMarch 11, 2018Parli, Morality, Weighing Mechanism, Preparation, Strategy, Stoa

Three Ways to Test a Value

A good value meets three standards...

Logic, Value, TheoryJoseph AbellMarch 8, 2018Value, Case Writing, Theory, Justice, Morality, Definition, Weighing Mechanism

Value Theory: Creating Order from Chaos

There's one word that sums up the stigma of high-school value debate...

Value, TheoryJoseph AbellMarch 4, 2018Value, Theory, Lincoln Douglas, NCFCA, Stoa, Debate

Toulmin Model 2.0

Deductive reasoning (Betsy is a cow, all cows eat grass, therefore Betsy eats grass) is widely regarded as the most scientific...

Logic, Value, Policy, ParliJoseph AbellFebruary 28, 2018Logic, Toulmin Model, Deductive, Inductive, Argument, Structure, Claim, Ground, Warrant

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

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