Lessons
Foundations
Start here. How to structure an argument, come up with one, take one apart and weigh.
Foundations
Argument Construction
Refutation
- Introduction to RefutationTwo ways to take apart someone's argument: show it isn't true, or show it doesn't matter.
- Identifying and Structuring RebuttalRebuttal in a real speech: what to listen for, what to write down, and what to say.
- Comparative RefutationThe skill that decides close rounds. If you read one Advanced lesson, read this one.
Advanced
Prep, counterfactuals, weighing and framing; four kinds of motion; then whip speeches, matterfiles and extensions.
Case Strategy
- Prioritizing Arguments During Prep TimeFifteen minutes, six ideas. How to pick the two worth running.
- Counterfactual AnalysisBefore you argue for change, you need the world without it. How to build that world.
- How to Win Weighing DebatesGood arguments lose to better weighing. How to weigh so yours win.
- How to Frame a DebateThe team that frames the debate usually wins it. How to frame it first.
Motion Types
- How to Debate Cultural Narrative Motions'This House Prefers' and 'This House Opposes' motions run on their own logic. How to argue them.
- How to Debate International Relations MotionsIR motions look hard. Most come down to about four moving parts.
- How to Debate Policy and Economics MotionsPolicy motions reward knowing how things work. A way to get specific without an economics degree.
- How to Debate Social and Identity MotionsArgued like an economics motion, a social justice motion is lost. What it needs instead.
Advanced Skills
Judging
What judges do, how to flow a round and how to give an oral adjudication.
Judging Fundamentals
Feedback & Evaluation
- How to Give an Oral AdjudicationThe call is half the job. The other half is explaining it so the room learns something.
- Writing Feedback That Actually HelpsComing soon
Advanced Adjudication
- Chairing a PanelComing soon
- Judging Close RoundsComing soon
- Your Biases and How to Catch ThemComing soon
- Panelling on Outrounds versus InroundsComing soon