The Simplest Way to Improve Your Win Rate

“Sometimes, making the step from 3-3 to 4-2 takes hours of research, case tweaking, and practice. Other times, all it takes is a little discipline.”

ComprehensionJoseph AbellNovember 19, 2018debate, win more, flowing, tags, organization, comprehension, stoa, ld, strategy, techniques, tp, ncfcaComment

12 Parli Resolutions from Rising Eagles Autumnfest

“Here they are for practice and reference.”

Resolutions, ParliDrew MagnessNovember 16, 2018Resolutions, debate, Tournaments, Tournament, Parli, parliamentary Comment

When Partner Skill Doesn't Match

At a recent camp, I was asked: “No one in my area has as much experience as me. Should I just partner with someone who isn’t as good?”

Parli, Novice, AdvancedJoseph AbellNovember 14, 2018partner, stoa, ld, tp, duo, interp, events, partnership, league, competition, ncfca, parliComment

9 Reasons Not to Panic When You See Postings

“Don’t be anxious and don’t give up. Here’s why.”

NoviceJoseph AbellNovember 11, 2018anxiety, stoa, ld, tp, parli, debate, rounds, nervous, postings, tournament, novice, first time Comments

30 Practice Debate Resolutions (#9)

It’s Friday! Here’s another list of practice resolutions, divided by value, fact, and policy.

ResolutionsDrew MagnessNovember 9, 2018Debate practice, Debate resources, debate, resolutions, Resolutions, debate resolutions, resolution listComment

In Summary: Camp Cyclone

“You learn by asking, by challenging, by demanding to be shown the truth.”

CoachingDrew MagnessNovember 7, 2018Camps, Debate camp, Workshops, ExceptionalComment

"He Dropped It, so He Agrees!"

“Let’s unpack this logic.”

StrategyJoseph AbellNovember 5, 2018argument, drop, persuasion, strategy, stoa, ncfca, dropped arguments, how, to, respond, ld, value, policyComment

30 Practice Debate Resolutions (#8)

Resolved: “The arts deserve public funding.”

ResolutionsDrew MagnessNovember 2, 2018resolutions, list, practice, parli, value, fact, policy, debateComment

Clarity: The Stranger Test

“Let’s try it with an even more complex idea, blockchain.”

ComprehensionDrew MagnessOctober 31, 2018Comprehension, communication, debate, speech, complexity, simplicity, tags, organization, novice, clearerComment

The "When In Conflict" Conflict

“This argument is a staple in some regions of the NCFCA and is gaining popularity in the current Stoa LD metagame. Here’s what I think of it.”

TheoryJoseph AbellOctober 29, 2018when in conflict, stoa, ld, theory, debate, resolution, truth-seeking, privacy Comments

30 Practice Debate Resolutions (#7)

Practice is how you get better. Here’s a list of resolutions to use, divided by value, fact, and policy.

ResolutionsDrew MagnessOctober 26, 2018Resolutions, debate resolutions Comments

The Other 3 Biggest Burden of Proof Myths (and How to Defeat Them)

Last time, we discussed three ways that the term “burden of proof” has been tortured beyond recognition. Today, we tackle the other three.

3 of the 6 “Burden of Proof” Myths You’ll Hear at the Next Tournament

Let’s break down what burden of proof isn’t – and then what it is.

PolicyJoseph AbellOctober 22, 2018Policy, debate, burden of proof, theory, strategy, helpComment

30 Practice Debate Resolutions (#6)

As always, this list is organized by value, fact, and policy topics.

ResolutionsDrew MagnessOctober 19, 2018practice, debate, resolutions, value, fact, policy, resolution list, ncfca, ld, tp, parli, parliamentaryComment

NCFCA LD: Ranking the Definitions of Fair Trade

Fair trade is a nebulous term that can mean a variety of different things. Let’s rank each of the definitions in three separate categories.

Value, AdvancedDrew MagnessOctober 17, 2018NCFCA, Fair Trade, Free Trade, Definitions, Arguments, LD, Lincoln DouglasComment

The Speech Performance: Take Risks

“If I could give every competitor in the nation one piece of advice, I’d tell them these two words: take risks.”

Advanced, Persuasion, SpeechDrew MagnessOctober 15, 2018advanced, speech, risks, safe, strategy, persuasion Comments

81 Practice Impromptu Topics

Each round has a common theme, and each speaker is given a range of topics intended to include an easy and a difficult choice.

Speech EventsJoseph AbellOctober 12, 2018impromptu, speaking, speech, events, delivery, list, topicsComment

The Single Best Way to Improve Your Delivery

There are an effectively infinite number of ways to practice delivery, but one stands above the rest.

SpeakingJoseph AbellOctober 10, 2018Impromptu, Speaking, delivery, skill, progress, talking well, speech eventsComment

Sign up for updates