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.

30 Practice Debate Resolutions (#5)

Here’s the 5th installment of our resolution list. As always, the list is divided by value, fact, and policy resolutions.

ResolutionsJoseph AbellOctober 5, 2018practice, debate, resolutions, debate resolutions, parliamentary, parli, ld, value, policy, resolution, resolution listComment

The Five Most Common LD Myths (Part 2)

Here’s the remaining two big myths I see constantly in value debate. For the first three, click here.

TheoryJoseph AbellOctober 3, 2018ld, value, debate, theory, myths, framework, contention, value link, resolved, resolution, strategy, Case Writing, LD case Comment

The Five Most Common LD Myths (Part 1)

We’re breaking down the most common myths in LD value debate. Here’s part 1.

TheoryJoseph AbellOctober 1, 2018LD, Value, Myths, Theory, Criterion, value, debate, value link, framework, Case Writing, LD case Comments

30 Practice Debate Resolutions (#4)

We want you to practice every day. Here are the tools you need to make it happen!

ResolutionsDrew MagnessSeptember 28, 2018Resolution, resolution, resolutions, Resolutions, debate resolutions, Debate, practice, DrillsComment

How to Start a Speech

Coming up with an introduction can seem like the hardest part of a speech…

Speech, PersuasionDrew MagnessSeptember 25, 2018Speech, Introductions, Intros, Rebuttals, Speaking, Novice, PersuasionComment

How to Separate Refutation from Rehash

The average debate round plays out something like this:

Affirmative Constructives: This!
Negative Constructibes: That!

LogicJoseph AbellSeptember 24, 2018refutation, 4 point refutation, 5 point refutation, rehash, repetition not refutation, logicComment

30 Practice Debate Resolutions (#3)

You know the drill. Here are 30 new resolutions: use them for a practice parli round!

ResolutionsJoseph AbellSeptember 21, 2018Practice, Parli, parliamentary, debate, resolutions, resolution, list, value, fact, policyComment

Parli Prep and Mob Psychology

You’ve seen it.

They bring the teams up to announce the topic. A tournament official announces the resolution into a microphone; both teams madly dash to a room…

Parli, StrategyDrew MagnessSeptember 19, 2018parliamentary, parli, Parli, Strategy, Stoa, stoa, debate, DebateComment

Policy Debate: What About Criteria?

Criterion: Excitement
Plan: The judge will set himself on fire and jump off a cliff.

Advanced, Case WritingJoseph AbellSeptember 17, 2018Policy, Criteria, Criterion, Case Writing, Strategy Comments

30 Practice Debate Resolutions (#2)

“The judge should buy one of Apple’s new iPhones.”

ResolutionsJoseph AbellSeptember 14, 2018Resolution, debate, stoa, ncfca, value, fact, policy, list, parli, parliamentary, practice, debate resolutionsComment

Explaining Stock Issues

“Inherency is usually run about once a season on a team that is either incredibly unlucky or incredibly ill-prepared.”

Theory, Policy, ComprehensionDrew MagnessSeptember 12, 2018Stock Issues, Policy, Team Policy, Theor, Topicality, Inherency, Significance, Solvency, Com, ClarityComment

8 Types of Justice (And How to Deal With Them)

In the current Stoa resolution, this is the obvious front-runner value. But not all justice is created equal. Here are eight possible definition types.

ValueJoseph AbellSeptember 10, 2018Stoa, Justice, LD, Value, Debate, Definition, Truth Seeking, individual privacy, privacy, Criminal Procedure, Case Writing, LD case, aff, negComment

30 Practice Debate Resolutions (#1)

Ace Peak is creating a resolution vault. Here is the start of it!

ParliJoseph AbellSeptember 7, 2018Parli, Practice, Stoa, Debate Comments

Value, Fact, and Policy Resolutions

Academic debate offers resolutions with three different kinds of claims: value, fact, and policy. Understanding the difference between them allows you to craft your case with precision, and deliver your advocacy with accuracy.

Parli, Case WritingJoseph AbellSeptember 5, 2018LD, Value, policy, Parli, Case WritingComment

How to Research a New Debate Topic: 3 Steps

The academic debate season is underway. Whether you're in LD or TP, it’s time to dive into the topic and learn as much about it as you can. Unfortunately, a lot of competitors…