Improvement
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 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.
Three Ways to Answer Skepticism
In debate we use the term “skepticism” to refer to a broad set of arguments which conclude that no sound normative conclusions can be drawn. It is therefore never appropriate, the argument goes, to say that a given action or policy is morally right or wrong.
Arguments with skeptical conclusions go in and out of fashion in LD. Right now you see them most often intertwined with permissibility debates. “If nothing is prohibited then everything is permissible.” That is a highly questionable conclusion, but not directly the subject of this article. My hope is to give you a set of intuitive answers to skeptical arguments without the need to resort to theory.
Three Things You Can Do To Improve Your 2NR by Adam Torson
The conventional wisdom is that the 2NR is, as a general rule, the most poorly delivered speech in LD. In many rounds negs can afford to skate by because the time disadvantage makes up for a poorly conceived 2NR. But if you are content to skate by, you’re thinking like a minor leaguer. Separating yourself from the pack requires improving your 2NRs. Here are some things you can do that will help you on your way.
Three Things You Can Do To Improve Your Cross-Examination by Adam Torson
Cross-examination is one of those debate skills that some people just have a knack for. Some struggle to fill the time with pointless clarification questions, while others lead their opponents down the primrose path only to pounce and exact a devastating concession. But don’t worry – you don’t have to be Clarence Darrow to make good use of your CX time. Here are three things you can do to make effective use of cross-examination without necessarily having to be a CX prodigy.
