Introduction/Qualifications So, you debate at a “small school”. Maybe you just want to learn how to prep in general. Although these suggestions are based on my own experience as a “small school” debater, they should be applicable to anyone that wants to get better at debate. For context, I went to a “small school” (Cambridge High […]
Introduction This post is designed both for students just starting to research and experienced debaters looking for a new tip or trick. A fair warning, it’s a bit on the technical side. If you’re looking for a more basic introduction, I recommend watching this excellent lecture by Anthony Trufanov–also linked at the end of the […]
Introduction This is the second article in a 4-part series on framework vs. the K. You can read part one here. Armed with a clear understanding of the composition of a framework – the role of the judge and its consequences – I turn to popular frameworks deployed in debates today and illustrate what I take […]
Introduction: What is Dedev? Dedev, as it’s currently known in the debate community, is an impact turn focused on the negative impacts of economic growth. The term originates from “de-development,” defined by Roy (1987) as “a process which undermines or weakens the ability of an economy to grow and expand by preventing it from accessing […]
Introduction This piece is an overview of the potential resolutions for the 2022-23 college legal personhood topic. Sources are a combination of original research and work done by the topic committee. Keep in mind that most of this is opinion, not gospel. Terms – Action (Vest vs. Expand) Vest The primary characteristic of vested rights […]
Introduction The notion of “judge kick” is a relatively controversial argument among the debate community. It usually refers to the ability of a judge to jettison a negative counterplan after the debate and instead vote negative in favor of the status quo if they conclude the counterplan is uncompetitive or less desirable than the status […]
Introduction I find that framework in policy vs. negative K rounds is often far more difficult to navigate for debaters and evaluate for judges than it should be. In this four-article series, I identify what I believe to be the most glaring issues and misunderstandings with the argument and offer correctives along the way. In […]
Introduction Note: This is the first version of an article which I have since revised, you can find that here. While I’ll agree with most of the content in this article, it wasn’t expressed as clearly as I’d like. I think my response to David’s comment helps clear up some of those issues. This is […]
Despite the lack of people asking for individuals’ unsolicited debate takes generally, my first in-person tournament both in college and in two years had me thinking a lot of things that I wanted to share. 1. In-Person Debate Rocks Holy shit. Being able to genuinely connect with other debaters is such an amazing and wholesome […]
To be completely honest, this site started as a bit. I was really influenced by my experience meeting people from the debate community at CEDA and from the wonderful feedback I received from the amazing judges there, and naturally I wanted to write it up. Now, I’m not saying I wanted to be that one […]