Author Archives
Three Ways to Make the Most of Debate Camp by Adam Torson
Many of you will be attending a summer debate institute, and just about everyone will be a better debater for the experience. But, some people undeniably get more out of camp than others, simply because of the attitude and approach they bring with them. Here are three tips to help you make the most of your camp experience.
Three Tips for Competing at NFL Nationals by Adam Torson
It’s that time of year when debaters from across the NFL world prepare rigorously (more or less) and make their way to NFL Nationals, this year held in Indianapolis. While Nationals is always a fun time, you’re also there to compete, and the tournament is substantially different than most of the tournaments you’ve attended. With that in mind, here are three things you can do to improve your chances of having competitive success at Nationals.
Three Things You Can Do To Improve Your Case-Writing
As with many debate skills, there is more than one correct way to write cases. Figuring out which approach works for you is generally a matter of trial and error. That said, it is possible to become too used to a sub-optimal writing process. Below are some tips to help you improve both the quality and efficiency of your case-writing process.
Debate and the Virtue of Humility by Adam Torson
It’s hard for people who haven’t experienced it first hand to understand the transformative potential of participation in debate. We aspire to teach rigorous and critical thinking during a time when students are experiencing rapid cognitive development, both in terms of intellect and personality. This is a tremendous opportunity, but also a tremendous responsibility. I firmly believe that debate can play a major role in shaping a student’s self-identity. But, the lessons we learn in the activity don’t stop when the timer goes off. That means that everyone who participates in the community has a responsibility to think about what we want the debate experience to be. What follows is an attempt to address part of that question.
Three Ways to Improve Your Mental Game by Adam Torson
Most debaters spend their time working on two things – the quality of their arguments (research, case-writing, blocking, etc.) and their technical skills (drills, etc.). All that is great, but if you can’t execute your preparation during the tournament, and especially in important rounds, your work is for naught.
Debate is a mental game. Some people have a natural ability to think clearly and execute their strategy under pressure. If you are one of those people, you can stop reading. If your mental game is already strong, over-thinking it can hurt you. If, on the other hand, you sometimes struggle under pressure, here are a few things you can do to improve your state of mind during important rounds.
