Monthly Archives: December 2013

The Cross-X Questions You Can’t Afford Not to Ask

Posted on December 10, 2013 by Rachel Stevens

  Cross-examination is perhaps the most under-utilized several minutes of any debate round. Since your cross-x gives you complete control over what subjects are discussed, it is crucial that you work to wring every last drop of strategic potential out … Continue reading →

Posted in Cross-Examination, Learn | 8 Comments

Public Forum: The Path to Citizenship & Congressional Politics- How to Navigate the Debate

Posted on December 5, 2013 by Rachel Stevens

  As debates on December’s topic get underway, PFers are faced with a unique challenge: discussing an issue that is currently experiencing ongoing tumult and uncertainty in Congress. How should the day-to-day controversy with the House of Representatives affect the types … Continue reading →

Posted in Public-Forum | 6 Comments

Research Means More Than Cutting Cards

Posted on December 4, 2013 by Rachel Stevens

  When you sit down to do some debate research, the number one thing on your mind is probably finding evidence to support your claims. However, there’s another kind of research that’s just as important: the kind that helps you … Continue reading →

Posted in Cross-Examination, Learn, Lincoln-Douglas, Public-Forum | 6 Comments

Stop Going for Framework Against Nontraditional Affs: Here’s Why

Posted on December 3, 2013 by Rachel Stevens

  As the number of teams reading “nontraditional” affs continues to rise, more and more debaters from traditional backgrounds are struggling to adjust to the new demands these rounds present. Many students respond by using framework arguments to attempt to shift … Continue reading →

Posted in Cross-Examination, Learn | 4 Comments

Rebuttal Strategy: How to Choose Which Arguments to Go For

Posted on December 2, 2013 by Rachel Stevens

It’s the most ubiquitous strategic dilemma in debate: how do I decide which arguments to carry into my last speeches, and which to abandon or kick out of? This choice is one of the most influential in determining whether you … Continue reading →

Posted in Cross-Examination, Learn, Lincoln-Douglas, Public-Forum | 4 Comments