BECOMING A GREAT DEBATER!

Becoming A Great Debater....

What Does It Take?

Dedication

Hard Work

Determination

But Most Of All Becoming A Great Debater Takes

TEAM WORK!

Being a debater isn't always easy....Trying to learn new evidence while preparing for a tournament can be stressful.  Team Work and Team Building are two tools that are useful in building a strong debate squad.

Make sure the following things are happening during your debate practices:

1.     Take Attendance: Believe it or not know where your teammates are is a part of team building each of you should be accountable to one another....REMEMBER YOU'RE A TEAM AND YOU'RE ONLY AS STRONG AS YOUR WEAKEST LINK

2.     Speaking Drills: In the beginning of your debate practice start by taking out your 1AC. HAVE EVERYONE READ AT THE SAME TIME for at least 3 to 5 minutes. Read as FAST as you can. Emphasize that you want the while 1AC read in the allotted amount of time. When the first drill is over have your teammates read the same pieces of evidence again only backward, from bottom to top in the same amount of time. This drill helps stamina, clarity and fluidity when reading evidence in the debate round. Also a good way to help your teammates remember evidence!

3.     Reviewing New or Misunderstood Evidence: Just go over evidence and have everyone explain what they think the card means. You'd be surprise what you may find out or what ideas you make come across. Debate is about interpretations its best to get as many as possible for your opponent may spin things in their favor.

4.     Spar Debates: Have one practice debate a week with members. Select the four members to participate and have your coach, captain or lead debater judge the round.

5.     Writing summaries of your debate arguments

6.     Writing blocks (Defensive) arguments against your opponent’s arguments: Debate is an intellectual boxing match and you don’t want to get hit with an unexpected jab. KNOW YOUR OPPONENTS ARGUMENTS.  When you know what the other teams will say START WRITING ARGUMENTS AGAINST IT. Remember it doesn’t have to be perfect they are your blocks you read them.

Try these simple exercises and you're sure to see improvement!!