NCFCA TP Backgrounder #2: China’s Military Power
When you first thought about changing the United States’ policy towards China, you probably instantly thought about trade. Thankfully, that’s not all we’ll be debating this year. There is actually a...
View ArticleHow to Use Lexis Nexis
Earlier this week, Isaiah made a video for Stoa debaters instructing them on the best way to take advantage of the vast resources that LexisNexis provides. Whether you’re a Value or Policy debater,...
View ArticleThe Syllogistic Case Structure
“Ships that pass in the night, and speak each other in passing, only a signal shown, and a distant voice in the darkness; So on the ocean of life, we pass and speak one another, only a look and a...
View ArticleHow to Give and Receive Speech Feedback
So what is most likely to help club members improve their speeches? The parents and students at Lone Star Christian Communicators, a speech and debate club in Austin, Isaiah was asked to give an hour...
View ArticleWhen doing the scary thing turns out good
About 4 months ago, I had the opportunity to speak in front of 1,500 people on a massive stage. I had only 2 minutes to prep (the prep had to be done up on the stage) and I had to speak for 5 minutes....
View ArticleA Brave New Word
The crowd roared. The phrase whips up images of excited football fans. Of theater-goers as the curtain falls. Of Wrigley Field during Game 7. Or, perhaps, of a supportive audience at a campaign rally....
View ArticleNew “Downloads” Page
We interrupt our normal dose of content with a brief service announcement: there is a new downloads page at http://www.ethosdebate.com/downloads/ On this page you will find several example briefs, as...
View ArticleA Giant Index of Reasons to Prefer a Value
“Why should we go to the Chinese buffet?” “Because Chinese food is tasty!” “But the food we have at home will save us money!” “But I’d rather have tasty food!” “Well I’d rather have money!” The value...
View ArticleThe Syllogistic Case Structure
“Ships that pass in the night, and speak each other in passing, only a signal shown, and a distant voice in the darkness; So on the ocean of life, we pass and speak one another, only a look and a...
View ArticleHomeschool Debate 2016–17: Topic Review
I’ve already judged about 12 rounds and debated about 6 this season, besides coaching four topics and parli. It was a good start for tasting what some of the topics have to offer. 2016–17 should be a...
View Article10 Debate National Champions Offer Their Single Best Debate Insight – Isaac Kim
Awesome guest post by Isaac Kim, ethos debater, alumni, and brand strategist. 10 debate national champions offer their single best debate insight As a high school debater without a debate coach, I...
View ArticleI Am Disappointed
ERRATA: This post referred to “this year’s national champions” at one point in a way that could’ve meant any of several teams and people. At least one national championship team this year specifically...
View ArticleWhen Did Ignorance Become Cool?
[Author’s note: For competitive debaters and coaches, even though this article does not specifically address debate, I write it for you in application of Isaiah’s thoughts here. While we may be...
View ArticleHow NCFCA Could Make “No Outrounds” Work
We were surprised as anybody by NCFCA’s recent announcement of abolishing outrounds for its qualifiers, and moving to an 8-prelim structure. Having run tournaments in five leagues and coached in 11, I...
View ArticleThe How and Why of Implied Counterplans
Most debate rounds go a little bit like this: AFF: Here’s a problem, and here’s the solution! NEG: Nah, what we have is just fine. AFF: No, action is needed! Let’s go over the problems again. NEG:...
View ArticleA GIANT list of Reasons to Prefer a Definition
Two years ago, Stoa Value debaters dedicated themselves to debating the letter of the law vs. the spirit of the law. As you might expect, definitions were central to the understanding of the...
View ArticleWitch Doctor Theory
“Of course we know we shouldn’t touch those vines, Reverend Smith; every village child is told the story of the evil spirits that are forced to live in them, and how touching them allows the evil...
View ArticleCommunity Judges #3 – Persuade Them
Be Orators, Not Debaters “All right,” you may be thinking, “Community judges may be a necessity. I recognize they approach debate with a mindset of hesitancy and self-doubt. And I may very well be able...
View ArticleLies of Rhetoric #2: Formal Fallacies
Fallacies in general, are confusing. And if the subject weren’t complicated enough already, some may feel that logicians decided to even further complicate it by distinguishing between formal and...
View ArticleNew “Programs” Page
If you’re on this site, it means one of two things: You’re procrastinating something important. You want to improve your debate skillset. They aren’t mutually exclusive, don’t worry. But if you’re...
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