May 29, 2026
By Daniel Shatzkin
Prepping for the June / NSDA Nationals topic in Lincoln-Douglas? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the civil liberties over national security topic! Resolved: Democracies ought to prioritize the protection of civil liberties over national security.
May 26, 2026
By Sachin Letchumanan
Prepping for the June / NSDA Nationals topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the force against authoritarians topic! Resolved: The United States is justified in using force to remove authoritarian leaders from power.
April 30, 2026
By Sachin Letchumanan
Prepping for the May topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the African development vs debt topic! Resolved: African countries should prioritize industrial development over international debt repayment.
April 1, 2026
By Erica Border
The March/April Lincoln-Douglas topic—Resolved: The United States military ought to abide by the principle of non-intervention—seems straightforward at first glance. But by the second month of debate, most rounds aren’t being decided by better evidence or more cards—they’re being decided by something much more fundamental: what each debater means by “non-intervention.” Some debaters treat non-intervention as an absolute rule—no military action abroad, under any circumstances. Others allow for exceptions, especially in cases like genocide or mass atrocities. Still others interpret non-intervention as a general preference for restraint, not a strict prohibition. These aren’t small differences. They fundamentally change what the resolution means, which arguments are relevant, and how judges evaluate the round. In practice, debaters often talk past each other—one side defending absolute restraint while the other assumes exceptions are obvious. This article breaks down the competing interpretations of non-intervention, then shows how each one shapes the frameworks, arguments, and clash points that decide debates. By understanding these models, you can stop debating vague abstractions and start controlling the round.
March 24, 2026
By Erica Border
The April Public Forum topic asks debaters to evaluate one of the most fundamental questions in American government – Resolved: The United States should eliminate the President’s authority to deploy military forces abroad without Congressional approval. At first glance, this debate may seem like a technical question about constitutional powers. But at its core, the resolution asks something much bigger: who should decide when the United States uses military force—and whether the current system actually works as intended. The Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war, while the President serves as Commander in Chief of the armed forces. In theory, this creates a balance: Congress decides when to enter conflict, and the President directs how that conflict is fought. However, over the past several decades, that balance has shifted dramatically. Presidents have increasingly deployed military force without formal declarations of war, often justifying their actions through broad authorizations or by avoiding the label of “war” altogether. For debaters, this topic is not just about legal definitions—it’s about constitutional design, historical evolution, and whether modern warfare has outgrown the system the Founders created. This article will explore those tensions, helping you understand the key arguments on both sides of the resolution.
March 18, 2026
By Sachin Letchumanan
Prepping for the April topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the presidential military powers topic! Resolved: The United States should eliminate the President’s authority to deploy military forces abroad without Congressional approval.
February 27, 2026
By Daniel Shatzkin
February 23, 2026
By Yair Fraifeld
Prepping for the March topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the corporate residence acquisition topic!
February 23, 2026
By Yair Fraifeld
Prepping for the February topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the sports betting topic!
January 29, 2026
By Erica Border
The January/February Lincoln–Douglas resolution – Resolved: The possession of nuclear weapons is immoral – forces debaters to confront a paradox at the heart of modern international politics. Nuclear weapons are rarely used, yet their mere existence profoundly shapes global behavior. Supporters argue that possession prevents catastrophe through deterrence; critics respond that threatening mass destruction is itself morally indefensible. What makes this topic especially challenging is that it is not about <em>use</em>, but about <em>possession</em>. That distinction matters. A weapon can sit idle for decades while still altering incentives, creating risks, and expressing moral commitments. Whether that state of affairs is immoral depends almost entirely on the ethical framework a debater adopts. This article explains how several major moral lenses evaluate nuclear possession—and why they reach sharply different conclusions. Understanding these frameworks helps debaters move beyond generic “deterrence good” or “nukes bad” claims and toward precise, judge-adaptable moral analysis.
January 2, 2026
By Rachel Mauchline
Prepping for the January topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the China natural resources topic! Resolved: The People’s Republic of China should substantially reduce its international extraction of natural resources.
January 2, 2026
By Daniel Shatzkin
Prepping for the Jan/Feb topic in Lincoln-Douglas? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the nuclear weapons LD topic! Resolved: The possession of nuclear weapons is immoral.
December 14, 2025
By Erica Border
The winter holiday break can feel like a paradox for debaters. On one hand, January topics are looming, tournaments resume quickly, and there’s pressure to use “free time” productively. On the other hand, the break exists for a reason: rest, recovery, and mental reset. The challenge isn’t choosing between preparation and rest—it’s learning how to do both well. This article lays out a sustainable approach to winter break prep that helps debaters enter January rounds confident and sharp without burning out. The goal is not to grind nonstop, but to make deliberate choices about what actually moves the needle in debate.
November 18, 2025
By Erica Border
The November/December Public Forum topic—<em>Resolved: The United States federal government should require technology companies to provide lawful access to encrypted communications</em>—asks debaters to evaluate one of the most technically complex and philosophically contested issues in modern technology policy. At stake is the balance between individual privacy, national security, and the technical integrity of digital systems that billions of people rely on daily.
November 12, 2025
By Erica Border
The Nov/Dec Lincoln-Douglas topic — Resolved: The United States ought to rewild substantial tracts of land — asks debaters to weigh competing visions of humanity’s relationship with nature. Should we restore ecosystems to their pre-human state, or manage land primarily for human benefit? The resolution demands engagement with real-world evidence about what rewilding accomplishes—and what it costs. The reintroduction of gray wolves to Yellowstone National Park in 1995 remains the most studied example of rewilding in U.S. history. After a 70-year absence, wolves returned and triggered what ecologists call a trophic cascade —a chain reaction that reshaped the entire ecosystem. For debaters, Yellowstone offers a concrete test case: it shows both the ecological promise of rewilding and the social tensions that arise when ecosystem restoration conflicts with human interests.
November 4, 2025
By Sach Letchumanan
Prepping for the Nov/Dec topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the Encryption PF topic! Resolved: The United States federal government should require technology companies to provide lawful access to encrypted communications.
October 24, 2025
By Daniel Shatzkin
Prepping for the Nov/Dec topic in Lincoln-Douglas? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the Re-wilding LD topic! Resolved: The United States ought to rewild substantial tracts of land.
September 25, 2025
By Erica Border
As the Sep/Oct Public Forum topic moves into its second month, rounds are increasingly decided by weighing—how teams compare different kinds of benefits and costs, and how clearly they tell judges which standards matter most. This guide offers five practical lenses for judging whether the United Kingdom should rejoin the European Union, each with types of evidence to seek, how Pro and Con usually frame the issue, and a clean weighing line you can adapt. Use one lens as your main framework, then acknowledge or cross-apply the others so your comparisons feel complete.
September 22, 2025
By Erica Border
If you’re researching the Sep/Oct Lincoln–Douglas topic—Resolved: In the United States criminal justice system, plea bargaining is just—the best way to level up is to understand how pleas really happen and what “justice” can mean. This article explains the steps in a plea, then walks through five common ways to judge fairness. You’ll see how the same facts can look different through each lens. For more depth, full case outlines, and hundreds of cut cards, grab the Champion Briefs Sep/Oct Lincoln–Douglas brief.
September 8, 2025
By Adam Tomasi
Prepping for the Sep/Oct topic in Lincoln-Douglas? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the Plea Bargaining LD topic! Resolved: In the United States criminal justice system, plea bargaining is just.
August 27, 2025
By Sach Letchumanan
Prepping for the Sep/Oct topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the UK-EU PF topic! Resolved: The United Kingdom should rejoin the European Union.
May 28, 2025
By Daniel Shatzkin
Prepping for the June / NSDA National Tournament topic in Lincoln-Douglas? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the Violent Revolutions LD topic! Resolved: Violent revolution is a just response to political oppression.
May 20, 2025
By Rachel Mauchline
Prepping for the June / NSDA National Tournament topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the Executive Orders PF topic! Resolved: On balance, in the United States, the benefits of presidential executive orders outweigh the harms.
March 25, 2025
By Rachel Mauchline
Prepping for the April topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the domestic nuclear energy PF topic! Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its investment in domestic nuclear energy.
March 6, 2025
By Erica Border
With the rapid rise of generative artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini, education in the United States is undergoing a technological transformation. The March Public Forum topic challenges debaters to evaluate whether this shift is a net positive or negative: Resolved: In the United States, the benefits of the use of generative artificial intelligence in education outweigh the harms. This resolution raises critical questions about the role of AI in learning. Proponents argue that AI has the potential to democratize education by providing students with personalized tutoring, automating administrative tasks for teachers, and offering accessibility tools for students with disabilities. On the other hand, critics warn that AI could exacerbate educational inequalities, erode critical thinking skills, and create overreliance on technology. For debaters, this topic requires a nuanced approach that goes beyond simple optimism or skepticism. The debate over generative AI in education is fundamentally about equity and long-term educational preparedness. Does AI help close the opportunity gap, or does it make disparities worse? And is it setting students up for success in an AI-driven world, or making them dependent on automation? This article will explore these key issues, presenting arguments on both sides, while additional in-depth case strategies and evidence can be found in the Champion Briefs topic brief
March 4, 2025
By Daniel Shatzkin
Prepping for the March topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the AI morality LD topic! Resolved: The development of Artificial General Intelligence is immoral.
February 23, 2025
By Rachel Mauchline
Prepping for the March topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the AI in Education PF topic! Resolved: In the United States, the benefits of the use of generative artificial intelligence in education outweigh the harms.
February 3, 2025
By Erica Border
It’s rare that Public Forum (PF) and Lincoln-Douglas (LD) debaters find themselves grappling with topics that overlap so closely. Yet, in February, both debate formats are centered around the United States’ relationship with major international agreements, offering a unique opportunity to dive deep into the intersection of foreign policy, international law, and moral philosophy. This alignment presents an exciting challenge. While PF debaters will focus exclusively on the Rome Statute and the International Criminal Court (ICC), LD debaters have the added dimension of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Despite the differences in debate format, the core tension that runs through both topics is the same: How should the United States balance its national sovereignty with the demands of global governance? This article will help debaters in both formats by exploring the key clash points around sovereignty vs. international cooperation, with an emphasis on the Rome Statute, since it’s relevant to both resolutions. We’ll also touch on UNCLOS to support LD debaters looking to engage with that portion of the topic. Throughout, the goal is to provide not just analysis, but strategies for how to apply these ideas effectively in rounds.
January 28, 2025
By Quentin Cooper
Prepping for the February topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the Rome Statute PF topic! Resolved: The United States should accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
January 8, 2025
By Daniel Shatzkin
Prepping for the Jan/Feb topic in Lincoln-Douglas? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the international treaties LD topic! Resolved: The United States ought to become party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and/or the Rome Statute of the International
January 6, 2025
By Quentin Cooper
Prepping for the January topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the Somaliland PF topic! Resolved: The African Union should grant diplomatic recognition to the Republic of Somaliland as an independent state.
November 8, 2024
By Daniel Shatzkin
Prepping for the Nov/Dec topic in Lincoln-Douglas? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the wealth tax LD topic! Resolved: The United States ought to adopt a wealth tax.
October 28, 2024
By Thadeus Smith
Prepping for the Nov/Dec topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the Taiwan military support PF topic! Resolved: The United States should substantially reduce its military support of Taiwan.
October 24, 2024
By Shania Hunt
The new topic for November/December tournaments is out! For many of you, the immediate reaction is likely "ugh, taxes." However, take this topic as an opportunity to push yourself out of your comfort zone and learn about a new area of the world that you previously did not know too much about! A legal-ish debate about taxes may be new, but arguments about how the United States implements policies and potential alternative approaches to solve. This topic analysis hopes to give you a launch pad with which to learn about this topic, some background, and interpretations to be aware of, as well as some arguments and strategies on the affirmative and negative sides.
September 25, 2024
By Erica Border
The Sep/Oct Public Forum topic "Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially expand its surveillance infrastructure along its southern border" offers students the opportunity to grapple with some of the most significant national conversations about security, immigration, and civil rights. As debates enter their second month, it’s critical to go beyond simplistic talking points and begin refining both the framing of arguments and the implementation of weighing mechanisms to prioritize impacts. A successful round will not only be won on the strength of your evidence but also on your ability to guide the judge’s understanding of which arguments should matter most. Here’s how to approach the debate in a way that balances national interests and humanitarian considerations.
September 24, 2024
By Daniel Shatzkin
Prepping for the UIL Fall topic in Lincoln-Douglas? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the agroecology LD topic! Resolved: In the United States, agroecology ought to be prioritized over industrial agriculture.
September 23, 2024
By Erica Border
The Sept/Oct Lincoln-Douglas topic, <em>Resolved: The United States ought to require that workers receive a living wage</em>, requires debaters to engage deeply with historical precedent and real-world examples to evaluate both the feasibility and the moral obligations behind living wage policies. Examining the evolution of wage laws in the United States and exploring international approaches to living wage implementation offer debaters rich material for crafting arguments on either side. The Champion Briefs file on this topic contains hundreds of pieces of evidence and in-depth topic analyses, providing a comprehensive toolkit for debaters. While the file offers detailed arguments and statistics, this blog article aims to give students a broader historical perspective that can guide their research as everyone works to tweak their cases and blocks going into the second month of debate on this topic. Understanding the historical and moral debates around the living wage can deepen students' arguments and allow them to make more nuanced comparisons in rounds.
September 9, 2024
By Daniel Shatzkin
Prepping for the Sep/Oct topic in Lincoln-Douglas? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the living wage LD topic! Resolved: The United States ought to require that workers receive a living wage.
September 6, 2024
By Yair Fraifeld
Prepping for the Sep/Oct topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the southern border surveillance PF topic! Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially expand its surveillance infrastructure along its southern border.
June 3, 2024
By Daniel Shatzkin
Prepping for the June/NSDA topic in Lincoln-Douglas? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the democratic secession LD topic! Resolved: In a democracy, a people ought to have the right to secede from their government.
May 21, 2024
By Rachel Mauchline
Prepping for the June/NSDA topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the US<>EU Trade PF topic! Resolved: The United States should establish a comprehensive bilateral trade agreement with the European Union.
April 29, 2024
By Taylor Mittelstedt
Prepping for the May/NCFL topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the Latin America PF topic! Resolved: Latin American countries should prioritize intraregional trade over international trade.
April 5, 2024
By Erica Border
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is pivotal in maintaining international peace and security, with significant powers vested in it. Its structure, notably the inclusion of five permanent members (P5) was crafted in the post-World War II era to avert future global conflicts. But the world has changed, which is why Public Forum Debaters are considering the topic “Resolved: The United Nations should abolish permanent membership on its Security Council.” This article explores the UNSC's origins, its global impact, and the intricate dynamics surrounding its permanent members to help Public Forum debaters consider new avenues and examples for their arguments.
April 1, 2024
By Erica Border
As Lincoln-Douglas debaters enter the second month of competition on the March/April resolution, "Resolved: The primary objective of the United States criminal justice system ought to be rehabilitation," many have already traversed ground on stock arguments and standard examples. However, this complex topic offers numerous underexplored areas that could breathe new life into cases and inspire fresh clashing. By taking a step back and interrogating our foundational assumptions through different philosophical lenses, considering innovative international rehabilitation models, and analyzing how rehabilitation goals might shift based on crime severity, debaters can access a wealth of new argumentation opportunities. This article offers a quick overview of some of those avenues of argumentation to help students refresh their approach going into April.
March 25, 2024
By Rachel Mauchline
Prepping for the April topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the UN Security Council PF topic! Resolved: The United Nations should abolish permanent membership on its Security Council.
March 5, 2024
By Adam Tomasi
Prepping for the March/April topic in Lincoln-Douglas? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the criminal justice LD topic! Resolved: The primary objective of the United States criminal justice system ought to be rehabilitation.
February 26, 2024
By Erica Border
The debate over whether collegiate student-athletes in the United States should be classified as employees of their educational institutions encompasses legal, economic, and ethical dimensions. This complex issue not only impacts the athletes and institutions involved but also reflects broader societal values and priorities. Public Forum debate students exploring this topic must navigate these multifaceted arguments to construct persuasive and informed cases. This article provides an overview of some of these pivotal issues to help debaters approach the student-athletes topic as they prepare for Public Forum rounds in March.
February 21, 2024
By Rachel Mauchline
Prepping for the March topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the student-athletes PF topic! Resolved: In the United States, collegiate student-athletes should be classified as employees of their educational institution.
January 30, 2024
By Erica Border
In recent years, the movement to ban single-use plastics has gained momentum across the globe as nations grapple with the escalating crisis of plastic pollution. This surge in environmental consciousness has led to a patchwork of policies, each aiming to reduce the environmental footprint of single-use plastics. When considering these policies for the Public Forum Debate topic “Resolved: The United States federal government should ban single-use plastics,” it’s important to examine the successes, challenges, and lessons learned from international efforts and local initiatives within the US. This article analyzes some international and local US efforts to find new avenues of argumentation as we begin debate on the topic in February.
January 22, 2024
By Thadeus Smith
Prepping for the February topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the single-use plastics PF topic! Resolved: The United States federal government should ban single-use plastics.
January 8, 2024
By Erica Border
The January 2024 Public Forum Debate resolution, "Resolved: The United States federal government should repeal Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act," invites a critical examination of a pivotal law that has shaped the internet. For debaters, understanding the alternatives to Section 230 and its global impact is crucial in developing nuanced argumentation strategies. This analysis not only broadens the scope of debate but also equips debaters with diverse perspectives for crafting compelling arguments and countering opposition. In this article, I’ll take a look at global comparisons and proposed alternatives in the U.S., aiming to provide debaters with an arsenal of information for refined argumentation, research, and response strategies.
January 3, 2024
By Daniel Shatzkin
Prepping for the Jan/Feb topic in Lincoln-Douglas? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the West Asia-North Africa LD topic!\ Resolved: The United States ought to substantially reduce its military presence in the West Asia-North Africa region.
December 21, 2023
By Thadeus Smith
Prepping for the January topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the internet policy PF topic! Resolved: The United States federal government should repeal Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.
December 4, 2023
By Erica Border
As Public Forum debaters continue to develop their strategies on the topic "Resolved: The United States federal government should forgive all federal student loan debt," it’s important to find fresh perspectives and deeper analysis into your cases. This second month of debate not only challenges debaters to stay updated with recent developments but also to rethink and reinforce their argumentative strategies. In this article, I’m going to give an overview of some different argumentation areas debaters can explore as they prepare for the second month of debates on this topic.
November 13, 2023
By Erica Border
While prepping for the Nov/Dec Lincoln-Douglas topic, it’s helpful for debaters to learn more about the context of the resolution by studying the history of public land policies. With this knowledge, debaters will be capable of creating arguments that reference different philosophical approaches to the topic, "Resolved: The United States ought to prohibit the extraction of fossil fuels from federal public lands and waters." This article aims to provide debaters with a comprehensive overview of the history of public lands policy and its underlying philosophical rationales, enhancing their ability to craft informed and nuanced arguments.
October 31, 2023
By Daniel Shatzkin
Prepping for the Nov/Dec topic in Lincoln-Douglas? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the fossil fuels extraction LD topic! Resolved: The United States ought to prohibit the extraction of fossil fuels from federal public lands and waters.
October 25, 2023
By Erica Border
In the arena of Lincoln-Douglas debate, ethical considerations often take center stage, guiding arguments and shaping resolutions. As debaters grapple with the resolution concerning the prohibition of fossil fuel extraction from federal public lands and waters, a deep dive into ethical frameworks, such as deontology, becomes essential. For both novices and seasoned debaters, a nuanced understanding of these principles can enhance the depth and persuasiveness of their cases. In this article, I'll give an overview of deontology, discuss how novices and experienced debaters can use it on the Nov/Dec Lincoln-Douglas topic, and give advice about how to address these arguments if presented by an opponent.
October 23, 2023
By Rachel Mauchline
Prepping for the Nov/Dec topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the student loan forgiveness PF topic! Resolved: The United States federal government should forgive all federal student loan debt.
October 4, 2023
By Erica Border
The Arctic, with its shimmering glaciers, elusive wildlife, and vast expanses, has long been a subject of human intrigue and ambition. From the early expeditions in search of new routes and territories, to its role as a strategic chessboard during global conflicts, its importance has evolved in tandem with global dynamics. For Public Forum debaters, understanding the intricacies of this region is more than just an academic exercise; it's a journey through time, geopolitics, and the delicate balance of nature. Recognizing the historical significance of the Arctic, the diplomatic endeavors of the Arctic Council, and the pressing ecological challenges faced by the region can equip debaters with a multi-dimensional perspective. This article seeks to be your compass, guiding you through these intricacies and illuminating the complexities of the debate topic.
September 26, 2023
By Erica Border
Debating housing rights demands a deep understanding of historical context, the web of interrelated social elements, legislative milestones, and practical initiatives undertaken at various levels of government. Each of these components forms the pillars upon which robust, nuanced arguments in Lincoln-Douglas debates are built. This article looks at the history of housing rights to help debaters refresh their arguments going into the second month of debate on the topic Resolved: The United States ought to guarantee the right to housing.
September 7, 2023
By Grant Chmielewski
Prepping for the Sep/Oct topic in Lincoln-Douglas? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the Right to Housing LD topic!
August 31, 2023
By Will Watson
Prepping for the Sep/Oct topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the arctic militarization PF topic!
June 5, 2023
By Will Watson
Prepping for the June / NSDA Nationals topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the ranked-choice voting PF topic!
May 26, 2023
By Michael Norton
I have decided that this will be my final year editing for Champion Briefs. I have loved my time working at Champion Briefs because it has afforded me the opportunity to stay attached to the community that I’ve grown so fond of. Public Forum Debate genuinely changed my life in so many ways, and I am the person that I am today because of the incredible people that I’ve met through debate over the past 14 or so years. That being said, all good things must come to an end, and as my time writing debate arguments comes to an end, I will finally be retiring from debate.
May 24, 2023
By Erica Border
Whistleblowing, the act of exposing illicit activities within an organization, often poses significant moral and ethical dilemmas. This becomes particularly complex when government employees encounter classified information revealing potential injustices. This article will examine several cases of whistleblowing across the globe, providing context and raising pertinent moral questions for each. I’m not aiming to answer the questions about whether or not each case was a moral action. Rather, I hope to raise questions that Lincoln-Douglas debaters can apply to the broader conversation about the conflict between moral obligation and personal/national interest.
May 22, 2023
By Erica Border
Public Forum Debaters preparing for the NSDA National Tournament are researching a key topic that will better inform your understanding of democratic processes - the proposition of the United States adopting ranked-choice voting (RCV) for federal elections. Understanding the mechanics, potential benefits, and pitfalls of RCV will equip debaters with valuable insights for crafting compelling arguments. In this article, I'm going to do a deep dive in the process of ranked-choice voting, explore some successful and unsuccessful examples, and discuss the broad effects of RCV to help Public Forum teams come up with ideas for their research.
May 11, 2023
By Erica Border
Artificial Intelligence has quickly impacted countless aspects of our life, and education is no exception. The promise of personalized learning experiences and data-driven insights is compelling, but the question remains: Does AI help or hinder educational equity? This question is crucial to Public Forum debaters competing in the NCFL National Tournament, where clear understanding and nuanced argumentation can make the difference between victory and defeat. In this article, I’m going to focus on the way debaters might think about equity issues related to the topic “Resolved: The benefits of AI in education outweigh the harms.”
April 3, 2023
By Erica Border
In recent years, biometric recognition technology has become increasingly prevalent in our daily lives. From unlocking our smartphones with our fingerprints to passing through airport security with facial recognition scanners, we are relying more and more on this technology to identify and authenticate our identities. However, as the use of biometric recognition technology has grown, so too have concerns about the privacy implications of collecting and storing biometric data. In this article, I’m going to explore the broad concerns about biometric privacy and the potential benefits that are exchanged for the cost to our privacy.
March 28, 2023
By Erica Border
The current Lincoln-Douglas debate topic, "Resolved: The justices of the Supreme Court of the United States ought to be term-limited," has sparked important discussions about the future of the Court and the balance of power among the three branches of government. By considering impacts of the long-term effects of implementing term limits, LD debaters will be able to better link their values to argument-level ideas. In this article, I’m going to give an overview of some potential impacts as jumping off points for deeper arguments students can make during the second month of debate on this topic.
March 24, 2023
By Will Watson
Prepping for the April topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the biometric data PF topic!
March 2, 2023
By Adam Tomasi
Prepping for the March/April topic in Lincoln-Douglas? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the SCOTUS term limits LD topic!
February 23, 2023
By Erica Border
Understanding the history of term limits in the United States is essential for students who are debating the March/April Lincoln-Douglas topic, "Resolved: The justices of the Supreme Court of the United States ought to be term-limited." By examining the ways in which term limits have been used in the past, students can gain a deeper understanding of the pros and cons of this policy tool. They can also learn about the different ways in which term limits have been implemented, including at the state level and in other countries around the world. In this article, I’m going to give a brief overview of this history in hopes that it better informs your research going forward.
February 21, 2023
By Will Watson
Prepping for the March topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the Artemis Accords topic! Resolved: The Republic of India should sign the Artemis Accords.
February 9, 2023
By Erica Border
The history of right-to-work laws in the United States is a long and complex one, shaped by shifting political and economic forces. At its core, the right-to-work debate is about the balance between workers' rights and the freedom of employers to run their businesses as they see fit. In this article, I’m going to talk about the historic context of right-to-work laws so that you can apply this knowledge to arguments and refutation in rounds.
February 2, 2023
By Rhea Nandwani
We often hear the phrase: “debate is a microcosm of the real world.” The more that I think about this, the more I realize the merit that this claim has. Debate is not a space that is isolated from worldly inequities. In fact, many of the issues that plague society at large continue into our community. With this in mind, it is critical to take the time to reflect on our own privileges and biases and discover ways we can use our power to create a more educational, inclusive community for everyone. In this article, I hope to discuss some of the inclusivity issues that reflect in debate and the real world and suggest practical solutions to improve our community.
January 30, 2023
By Erica Border
Human migration is a complex and nuanced issue that has been a part of the human experience for millennia. From ancient times to modern day, people have been on the move in search of new opportunities, greater freedom, and more favorable living conditions. This movement of people has had a profound impact on societies, shaping their demographics, cultural identities, and economic systems. In this article, I’ll talk about the reasons people migrate, some historical examples, and ways debaters can consider the context of migration to make better arguments.
January 22, 2023
By Erica Border
Economic principles are the foundation of the study of how society uses scarce resources to produce goods and services, and how those goods and services are distributed among individuals and groups. In Public Forum Debate, understanding these basic economic principles can help debaters to analyze current events and construct well-supported arguments on a wide range of economic issues. In this article, I’m going to give an overview of 6 important basic economic principles and apply them to the February PF resolution to show how complex arguments can grow from those ideas.
January 9, 2023
By Adam Tomasi
Prepping for the Jan/Feb topic in Lincoln-Douglas? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the open borders topic! Resolved: Justice requires open borders for human migration.
December 31, 2022
By Will Watson
Prepping for the January topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the West Asian conflict topic! Resolved: The United States Federal Government should increase its diplomatic efforts to peacefully resolve internal armed conflicts in West Asia.
November 28, 2022
By Rhea Nandwani
All debaters should do drills! Even though some of them are annoying or tedious, we need them. Simply, drills are practice techniques devoted to developing specific skills. When we do drills, we target areas in our skill arsenal that we want to improve, and with continued practice, drills make us better debaters. In this post, I will outline a few drills that classes and teams can use.
November 2, 2022
By Daniel Shatzkin & Adam Tomasi
Prepping for the Nov/Dec topic in Lincoln-Douglas? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the China environmental protection topic! Resolved: The People’s Republic of China ought to prioritize environmental protection over economic growth.
October 30, 2022
By Will Watson
Prepping for the Nov/Dec topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the Great Power Competition topic! Resolved: The United States’ strategy of Great Power Competition produces more benefits than harms.
October 26, 2022
By Adam Tomasi
Advanced framework debating appears to have become a lost art in LD, with some exceptions. This is not only because Policy-style arguments are popular, which in many ways improves the activity, but also because debaters with less experience are writing cases with warrantless frameworks. <strong>This is a fixable issue, and I’m here to talk about how to improve this type of debate.
October 25, 2022
By Omar Elsakhawy
Circuit debate seems like an entirely new world, with fast-paced speaking, different styles of argumentation, and a more grueling atmosphere. However, as someone who made the switch from competing almost exclusively traditional to attending a combination of tournaments, the national circuit is not as elusive as it seems. The following article seeks to discuss ways to approach circuit debate coming from a small school.
September 12, 2022
By Will Watson
Prepping for the Sept/Oct topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the high speed rail topic!
September 12, 2022
By Adam Tomasi & Daniel Shatzkin
Prepping for the Sept/Oct topic in Lincoln-Douglas? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the high speed rail topic! Resolved: The United States ought to implement a single-payer universal healthcare system.
September 1, 2022
By Nathan Johnston
Lincoln-Douglas and Public Forum Debate challenge students and coaches alike to become experts on a new topic in a matter of weeks. Here are some ways that I use briefs in my classroom to make that process easier.
June 3, 2022
By Daniel Shatzkin & Adam Tomasi
Prepping for the June/NSDA topic in Lincoln-Douglas? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the social justice topic!
March 21, 2022
By Srikar Satish
Prepping for the April topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the Japanese military topic!
February 28, 2022
By Will Watson
Prepping for the March topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the organic agriculture topic!
February 24, 2022
By Daniel Shatzkin & Nethmin Liyanage
Prepping for the March/April topic in Lincoln-Douglas? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from our writers about the free press topic!
February 23, 2022
By Matthew Cupich
Flowing is a fundamental debate skill which involves using pen and paper to keep track of the arguments in round. However, the efficiency and convenience of flowing on Microsoft Excel or Google Spreadsheets outweigh the advantages of traditional methods for four reasons.
February 8, 2022
By Adam Tomasi
Adam debated in Lincoln-Douglas and was known as a util debater. Now, he's arguing that more students should learn non-utilitarian arguments as a way to expand their argument set, make strategic decisions, and win more rounds. Read on to learn more!
January 27, 2022
By Will Watson
Prepping for the February topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from Will Watson about the Turkey/NATO topic!
January 19, 2022
By Nathan Johnston
As we continue to face the newest COVID-19 variant, families and teams are once again considering the long-term outlook for school activities. Since Speech & Debate heavily relies on our ability to hold tournaments, everyone I’ve spoken with is thinking about what the future of our activity looks like given the new normal. Unfortunately, COVID-19 isn’t going away any time soon, so we need to consider the future of Speech & Debate.
January 7, 2022
By Ben Gaddis
This session was recorded as part of Champion Briefs' Winter Coaches Clinic in 2021. All of these sessions were designed to help teachers to hone their skills as team administrators and coaches. We hope these videos are a helpful tool for you and your team!
January 7, 2022
By Charles Karcher
This session was recorded as part of Champion Briefs' Winter Coaches Clinic in 2021. All of these sessions were designed to help teachers to hone their skills as team administrators and coaches. We hope these videos are a helpful tool for you and your team!
January 7, 2022
By Rachel West
This session was recorded as part of Champion Briefs' Winter Coaches Clinic in 2021. All of these sessions were designed to help teachers to hone their skills as team administrators and coaches. We hope these videos are a helpful tool for you and your team!
January 7, 2022
By Aly Fiebrantz Awsare
This session was recorded as part of Champion Briefs' Winter Coaches Clinic in 2021. All of these sessions were designed to help teachers to hone their skills as team administrators and coaches. We hope these videos are a helpful tool for you and your team!
January 7, 2022
By Nathan Johnston
This session was recorded as part of Champion Briefs' Winter Coaches Clinic in 2021. All of these sessions were designed to help teachers to hone their skills as team administrators and coaches. We hope these videos are a helpful tool for you and your team!
December 28, 2021
By Srikar Satish
Prepping for the January topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from Srikar Satish about the drug legalization topic!
December 28, 2021
By Daniel Shatzkin & Nethmin Liyanage
Prepping for the Jan/Feb topic in Lincoln-Douglas? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from Daniel Shatzkin & Nethmin Liyanage about the space privatization topic!
October 27, 2021
By Daniel Shatzkin
Prepping for the Nov/Dec topic in Lincoln-Douglas? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from Daniel Shatzkin about the right to strike topic!
October 24, 2021
By Zach Ginsberg
Prepping for the Sept/Oct topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from Zach Ginsberg about the NATO topic!
October 24, 2021
By Adam Tomasi, Nethmin Liyanage, and Charles Karcher
The Champion Briefs team is proud to offer a demo debate so that novices can learn more about Lincoln-Douglas debate and the novice topic.
October 24, 2021
By Adam Tomasi & Nethmin Liyanage
Prepping for the Sept/Oct topic in Lincoln-Douglas? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from Nethmin Liyanage and Adam Tomasi about the WTO topic!
October 24, 2021
By Srikar Satish
Prepping for the Nov/Dec topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from Srikar Satish about the cryptocurrency topic!
October 24, 2021
By Zachary Ginsberg
Prepping for the January topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from Zachary Ginsberg about the Venezuelan economic sanctions topic!
October 22, 2021
By Nathan Johnston
We learned many lessons from pioneers of online tournaments. Today, online tournaments at the local and national levels have become the norm. Whether it be synchronous or asynchronous competition, online tournaments have kept the speech and debate activity afloat when it otherwise would have been impossible. Here are some top tips for success as we compete online and some thoughts about the lessons we’ve learned from this experience.
June 8, 2021
By Zach Ginsberg
Prepping for the June / NSDA Nationals topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from Zach Ginsberg about the democratic values topic!
June 3, 2021
By Nethmin Liyanage & Daniel Shatzkin
Prepping for the June/NSDA topic in Lincoln-Douglas? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from Nethmin Liyanage and Daniel Shatzkin about the public health emergencies topic!
May 10, 2021
By Adam Tomasi
Here is a written topic analysis about the Electoral College Lincoln-Douglas topic that will be debated at the NCFL Grand National tournament! Champion Briefs does not produce a full brief for the NCFL LD topic but we are happy to provide free resources.
April 22, 2021
By Daniel Shatzkin & Nethmin Liyanage
Prepping for the May/NCFL topic in Lincoln-Douglas? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from Nethmin Liyanage and Daniel Shatzkin about the Electoral College topic!
March 26, 2021
By Will Watson
Prepping for the April topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from Will Watson about the International Monetary Fund topic!
March 9, 2021
The National Speech & Debate Association's December 2016 topic is an excellent opportunity for the PF community to return to its roots. Debaters disillusioned by other topics containing obvious ground skew issues, a limited literature base, or less-than-interesting impacts will find the Plan Colombia topic to be a warm & familiar welcome, even if they don't have extensive knowledge of the topic area. Similar to how most December topics are, this resolution asks us to evaluate a policy decision on the basis of "Should we or should we not do X."
March 1, 2021
By Nethmin Liyanage & Daniel Shatzkin
Prepping for the March/April topic in Lincoln-Douglas? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from Nethmin Liyanage and Daniel Shatzkin about the universal childcare topic!
February 23, 2021
By Will Watson
Prepping for the March topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from Will Watson about the Space Force topic!
January 28, 2021
By Sara Catherine Cook
Prepping for the February topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from Sara Catherine Cook about the West Africa development topic!
January 4, 2021
By Nethmin Liyanage and Adam Tomasi
Prepping for the Jan/Feb topic in Lincoln-Douglas? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from Nethmin Liyanage and Adam Tomasi about the autonomous weapons topic!
January 4, 2021
By Will Watson
Prepping for the January topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from Will Watson about the surveillance topic!
November 12, 2020
By Daniel Shatzkin and Charles Karcher
Prepping for the Nov/Dec topic in Lincoln-Douglas? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from Daniel Shatzkin and Charles Karcher about the federal jobs guarantee topic!
November 9, 2020
By Zach Ginsberg
Prepping for the Nov/Dec topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from Zach Ginsberg about the nuclear no first use topic!
September 11, 2020
By Adam Tomasi
Prepping for the March/April topic in Lincoln-Douglas? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from Adam Tomasi about the predictive policing topic!
September 11, 2020
By Daniel Shatzkin & Amanda Ciocca
Prepping for the Sept/Oct topic in Lincoln-Douglas? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic conversation from Daniel Shatzkin and Amanda Ciocca about the compulsory voting topic!
September 7, 2020
By Anna Kate Lembke
Prepping for the Sept/Oct topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from Anna Kate Lembke about the Medicare for All topic!
May 29, 2020
By Zachary Ginsberg
Prepping for the June topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from Zachary Ginsberg about the NSDA National Tournament charter schools topic!
April 2, 2020
By Zachary Ginsberg
Prepping for the April topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from Anna Kate Lembke about the military presence in the Persian Gulf topic!
February 28, 2020
By Anna Kate Lembke
Prepping for the March topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from Anna Kate Lembke about the nuclear energy topic!
January 29, 2020
By Sara Catherine Cook
January 3, 2020
By Adam Tomasi
Prepping for the Jan/Feb topic in Lincoln-Douglas? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from Adam Tomasi about the nuclear arsenals topic!
October 28, 2019
By Zachary Ginsberg
Prepping for the Nov/Dec topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from Zachary Ginsberg about the offensive cyber operations topic!
October 24, 2019
By Adam Tomasi
Prepping for the Nov/Dec topic in Lincoln-Douglas? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from Adam Tomasi about the fossil fuels topic!
September 7, 2019
By Danny Siegel
Prepping for the Sept/Oct topic in Public Forum? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from Danny Siegel about the Belt & Road Initiative topic!
September 3, 2019
By Adam Tomasi
Prepping for the Sept/Oct topic in Lincoln-Douglas? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from Adam Tomasi about the standardized testing topic!
August 1, 2019
By Michael Norton
This year, we're excited to offer FREE topic primers during each Public Forum topic voting period! Our writers will offer the pros and cons of the two topic options to help you make an informed decision before you vote. Here is the primer for the Sept/Oct PF resolution choices on China.
June 3, 2019
By Daniel Shatzkin
Prepping for the NSDA National Tournament in Lincoln-Douglas? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from Daniel Shatzkin about the revolutions!
May 28, 2019
By Danny Siegel
Want to learn more about the June Public Forum topic on antitrust regulations for technology giants? Here's some advice from Danny Siegel about how to succeed!
March 27, 2019
By Danny Siegel
Want to learn more about the April Public Forum topic on India and the UN Security Council? Here's some advice from Danny Siegel about how to succeed!
March 6, 2019
By Adam Tomasi
Prepping for the Mar/Apr Lincoln-Douglas topic? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from Adam Tomasi about the military aid!
February 28, 2019
By Will Watson
Want to learn more about the March Public Forum topic on housing and urban development? Here's some insight advice from Will Watson about how to succeed!
January 24, 2019
By Zach Ginsberg
Want to learn more about the February Public Forum topic on Saudi Arabian arms sales? Here's some insight advice from Zach Ginsberg about how to succeed!
January 8, 2019
By Adam Tomasi
Want to learn more about the Sept/Oct Lincoln-Douglas topic? Here's some insight from Adam Tomasi about how to succeed!
January 8, 2019
By Zachary Ginsberg
Want to learn more about the Sept/Oct Public Forum topic on the law of the sea? Here's some insight advice from Zachary Ginsberg about how to succeed!
January 8, 2019
By Adam Tomasi
Want to learn more about the Nov/Dec Lincoln-Douglas topic? Here's some insight from Adam Tomasi about how to succeed!
January 8, 2019
By Zachary Ginsberg
Want to learn more about the January Public Forum topic on federal debt and economic growth? Here's some insight advice from Zach Ginsberg about how to succeed!
January 8, 2019
By Zach Ginsberg
Want to learn more about the Nov/Dec Public Forum topic on pharmaceutical pricing? Here's some insight advice from Zach Ginsberg about how to succeed!
January 7, 2019
By Adam Tomasi
Want to learn more about the Jan/Feb Lincoln-Douglas topic? Here's some insight from Adam Tomasi about how to succeed!
June 6, 2018
By Danny Siegel
Want to learn more about the June/NSDA Public Forum topic on NAFTA? Here's some insight advice from Danny Siegel about how to succeed!
June 5, 2018
By Adam Tomasi
Want to learn more about the June/NSDA Lincoln-Douglas topic? Here's some insight from Adam Tomasi about how to succeed!
March 26, 2018
By Harrison Hurt
Want to learn more about the April Public Forum topic on H-1B Visas? Here's some insight advice from Harrison Hurt about how to succeed!
March 1, 2018
By Adam Tomasi
Looking for extra prep for the March/April LD topic on a universal basic income? Here's a bonus topic analysis from Adam Tomasi about the topic's wording, cases, and more!
February 27, 2018
By Danny Siegel
Want to learn more about the March Public Forum topic on the AUMF? Here's some insight advice from Danny Siegel about how to succeed!
February 26, 2018
By Adam Tomasi
Want to learn more about the March/April Lincoln-Douglas topic? Here's some insight from Adam Tomasi about how to succeed!
January 29, 2018
By Danny Siegel
Want to learn more about the February Public Forum topic? Here's some insight from Danny Siegel about how to succeed!
January 9, 2018
By Daniel Shatzkin
Want to learn more about the January/February Lincoln-Douglas topic? Here's some insight from Daniel Shatzkin about how to succeed!
January 1, 2018
By Belen Mella
Want to learn more about the January Public Forum topic? Here's some insight from Belen Mella about how to succeed!
December 4, 2017
By Belén Mella
This month, debaters across the country will be discussing Resolved: NCAA student athletes ought to be recognized as employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Not a sports junkie myself, this resolution didn't immediately strike me as interesting as earlier resolutions about issues like international relations or civil rights. However, as I dug into the literature, I realized just how deep this topic goes.
November 26, 2017
By Belén Mella
Want to learn more about the December Public Forum topic? Here's some insight from Belen Mella about how to succeed!
October 31, 2017
By Belén Mella
Want to learn more about the November Public Forum topic? Here's some insight from Belen Mella about how to succeed!
October 30, 2017
By Daniel Shatzkin
Want to learn more about the November/December Lincoln-Douglas topic? Here's some insight from Daniel Shatzkin about how to succeed!
September 26, 2017
By Belén Mella
Happy September, Public Forum debaters! This is the one time of year when the debate resolution spans two months, which means there's more opportunities to master this topic. It's always exciting when the debates taking place in tournaments across the country mirror those taking place on the world stage, and that couldn't be more true for Resolved: Deployment of anti-missile systems is in South Korea's best interest. This past summer saw the North Korean government escalate threats amidst a war of words with the US, as well as the South Korean government waver on whether to deploy an American anti-missile system on their soil.
September 6, 2017
By Belén Mella
Want to learn more about the September/October Public Forum topic? Here's some insight from Belen Mella about how to succeed!
August 23, 2017
By Michael Norton
In this Public Forum demo round, Kevin Hautigan and Cornelia Fraser (Pro Team) debate Sarah Branse and Miranda Nutt (Con Team) on the topic "Resolved: Deployment of anti-missile systems is in South Koreas best interest."
June 7, 2017
By Kaitlyn O'Gara
Want to learn more about the NSDA Nationals Public Forum topic? Here's some advice from Kaitlyn O'Gara that will help you succeed!
May 8, 2017
By Tim Scheffler
The NCFL tournament is an odd experience for most PF debaters, and I'm not just referring to the side/position lock. It's a huge tournament compressed in to a short time span and with the 1:1 judge to team ratio, the judging ends up far more lay than the other national tournaments. Last year, in the noisy curtained convention hall, I found myself the only judge flowing in most of my rounds, with decisions splitting between those who were technically superior on the flow and those who projected perceptual control of the arguments (and sometimes those aligned). Thus, this tournament and resolution offer a great excuse to contemplate debater's access to the most classified information in debate: how your judge thinks.
April 5, 2017
By Spencer Orlowski
Prepping for the Tournament of Champions? Here's an in-depth, high-level topic analysis from Spencer Orlowski about the Jan/Feb Lincoln-Douglas Topic!
March 22, 2017
By Harrison Hurt
Want to learn more about the Electoral College Public Forum topic? Here's some advice from Harrison Hurt that will help you succeed!
March 15, 2017
By Spencer Orlowski
Want insight about how to best run counter-plans on the Right to Housing Lincoln-Douglas topic? Here's some advice from Spencer Orlowski about how to succeed with CPs!
March 15, 2017
By Adam Tomasi
Want to learn how to use a powerful federalism disadvantage on the Right to Housing Lincoln-Douglas topic? Here's some advice from Adam Tomasi about how to succeed with that argument!
February 22, 2017
By Harrison Hurt
Click here to watch Harrison Hurt discuss the March Public Forum Debate topic. You'll want this extra analysis to ensure success in the coming month!
February 21, 2017
By Spencer Orlowski
Click here to watch Spencer Orlowski discuss the March/April 2017 Lincoln-Douglas Debate topic. You'll want this extra analysis to ensure success in the new year!
February 13, 2017
By Kaitlyn O'Gara
The National Speech and Debate Association's February topic is a chance for Public Forum debaters to act as policy makers. Furthermore, this topic offers the best opportunity for debaters to dive into a bountiful amount of topic literature. When compared to any other topic that has existed in this season of debate, the February topic is definitively one of the most researched and most current topics that could have been selected.
January 30, 2017
By Alekh Kale
February is an interesting month for Public Forum. Many teams no longer have local circuit competitions every weekend and are now looking at wrapping up their season with one, maybe two national tournaments. This means that most people won't have the luxury of taking one tournament to get their head around the topic so that their second tournament can be successful. Fortunately, there are many different ways one can get sufficiently prepared when only one tournament is on the docket for any given month. In this article I hope to give you some methods to hone your skills before Berkeley, Millard North, Penn, Delbarton, Harvard, etc., while also providing some insights on the February topic - "Resolved: the United States should lift its embargo against Cuba" along the way.
January 26, 2017
By Adam Tomasi
Rest assured: plans are here to stay, this topic notwithstanding. The Jan-Feb resolution's wording is straightforward yet apparently hostile to specification. In particular, the phrase "any" seems to problematize an affirmative's attempt to defend anything less than the whole resolution. After some thought, I believe that the resolution poses no innate barrier to plans. The negative can contest the affirmative's narrower grasp on the resolution, but the topicality debate is not unwinnable for the affirmative.
January 24, 2017
By Christian Chessman
The 2017 January/February Lincoln-Douglas topic is engaging both because it is extremely timely and because it affords creative debaters a panoply of strategic opportunities. The resolution reads, Resolved: Public colleges and universities in the United States ought not restrict any constitutionally protected speech. Most debaters and coaches – especially those who have policy debate training – were surprised by the inclusion of the word "any," in part because it opens up affirmative debaters to a nearly-infinite number of plan-inclusive counterplans. I can practically see negative debaters excitedly planning the ten-thousand exceptions to the affirmative; "permit all speech with a narrow exception for X," where X is anything from hate speech to violent pornography to crush videos.
January 21, 2017
By Kaitlyn O'Gara
Click here to watch Kaitlyn O'Gara discuss the February 2017 Public Forum Debate topic. You'll want this extra analysis to ensure success on a difficult topic!
January 5, 2017
By Spencer Orlowski
Click here to watch Spencer Orlowski discuss the Jan/Feb 2017 Lincoln-Douglas Debate topic. You'll want this extra analysis to ensure success in the new year!
December 13, 2016
By Harrison Hurt
Click here to watch Harrison Hurt discuss the January 2017 Public Forum Debate topic. You'll want this extra analysis to ensure success in the new year!
December 1, 2016
By Adam Tomasi
In my second year of college Policy Debate, I've found that "substantial" is one of my new favorite words. This year's college resolution uses the term to limit out plans which are too tiny (hence "insubstantial") to be debatable. For context, the current resolution reads: Resolved: The United States Federal Government should establish a domestic climate policy, including at least substantially increasing restrictions on private sector emissions of greenhouse gases in the United States. The presence of "substantially" makes it viable for teams to read T-substantial against affirmatives designed to be so small that there's little negative offense.
November 21, 2016
By Kaitlyn O'Gara
Click here to watch Kaitlyn O'Gara discuss the December 2016 Public Forum Debate topic. You'll want this extra analysis to ensure success at upcoming tournaments!
November 16, 2016
By Michael Norton
This month's topic area is drug policy, and the resolution that has been selected is an excellent chance for debaters to research the American military effort in the war on drugs. The resolution is extremely clear in its framing, yet broad enough to allow debaters to access a variety of arguments, alternatives, and frameworks that should make for great debates in December. Researching this topic will force students to consider the history of the war on drugs, American intervention in Latin America, and the current state of Colombian politics. Resolutions like this one are great for Public Forum, and debaters will have a lot of fun debating Plan Colombia in December.
November 8, 2016
By Harrison Hurt
During the prelim rounds of any given national debate tournament, you can find hundreds of public forum debaters scurrying around a high school cafeteria, chatting, prepping, and arguing. There's a nervous yet industrious energy that pervades the air, like a fast food restaurant at rush hour. Tensions are high, and debaters do whatever they can to release stress: listen to music, talk to teammates and friends, and perhaps most commonly, bash on whatever judge they had in the last round.
October 31, 2016
By Liya Khan
The November topic presents an interesting comparative debate for this month. Debaters may not be used to the wording of this topic-where the Affirmative is allowed to weigh any benefit in the round while the Negative seems to just be restricted to defending the very narrow ground of harms to personal privacy. The strategy on this topic, however, I think can be better balanced out to serve both sides equally with some unique links, big picture framing, and impact analysis.
October 25, 2016
By Adam Tomasi
On a legal topic like Nov/Dec 2016, it is really important for debaters to hold a basic understanding of the technical questions posed by legal scholars. It’s not like you have to get your law degree before you’re ready to debate qualified immunity, but the topic literature relies on a certain vernacular, as well as a body of case law, so it's helpful for debaters to have a good foundation of knowledge.
October 20, 2016
By Spencer Orlowski
Click here to watch Spencer Orlowski discuss the Nov/Dec 2016 Lincoln-Douglas Debate topic. You'll want this extra analysis to ensure success at upcoming tournaments!
October 18, 2016
By Caspar Arbeeny
Click here to watch Caspar Arbeeny discuss the November 2016 Public Forum Debate topic. You'll want this extra analysis to ensure success at upcoming tournaments!
October 13, 2016
By Steve Knell
I come from a unique background in that I have coached national circuit debate but I also possess two degrees in some type of vocal music and am pursuing my third such degree. In my undergraduate I made my money coaching a fledgling but immensely talented local Utah LD team with circuit aspirations. I will never forget attending our weekly LD practice with a colleague and friend also pursuing her voice degree. After watching me give a speech in a practice debate at what would be considered by most to be an average circuit debater's speed, she advised me to quit my job, or at least never do a practice debate with the kids again, lest I do damage to my vocal mechanism.
October 6, 2016
By Alekh Kale
With a few tournaments out of the way, I suspect that most of those reading this post will have a good idea what probable cause is, know the difference between reasonable suspicion and probable cause, and know what SRO stands for. If this does not describe you, I highly suggest you get your hands on our briefs for this month and read the multiple topic analyses and look through the large depth of evidence our writers have compiled for “Septober.” If you are not familiar with the topic yet, this post is not for you. I don’t intend to give a broad overview of the topic, but rather my opinions on arguments people are running, what I think works and doesn’t work in front of all types of judges, and how you can take your argumentation to the next level for the coming month. As a disclaimer, I think any offensive argument can be run well and win rounds, below are just my opinions on some that are better than others.
October 6, 2016
By Adam Tomasi
Earning a top-five speaker award feels awesome. Being recognized as the top speaker of a tournament is even more awesome. Though I received a lot of bids to the Tournament of Champions, I never really won many tournaments. I’d usually end up dropping the elim following the bid round, or drop in semis/finals. That didn’t bother me because I knew I wasn’t perfect. It especially didn’t bother me at tournaments where I ended up the top speaker!
September 28, 2016
By Adam Tomasi
The 2AR is easily the hardest speech in LD. Everyone likes to talk about the time skew between a 7 minute NC and a 4 minute 1AR; less oft-discussed is the time skew between a 6 minute 2NR and a 3 minute 2AR. Though in both cases the difference is three minutes, the 2AR is still a more demanding speech, the equal time difference notwithstanding. Whereas the 1AR only has a responsibility to put out arguments, the 2AR has a responsibility to <i>crystallize</i>, or summarize the debate in the Aff’s favor.
September 22, 2016
By Lindsay Mahowald
Now that we have a few tournaments under our belts, and arguments from debate camp have been successfully developed, the September/October topic is getting increasingly more complex. There’s an expanding selection of literature and arguments, a number of which would be successful in a variety of settings. With many more tournaments left to go, let’s try to break it down to some of the major points and strategies.
September 20, 2016
By Shania Hunt
Every year I work as the manager of the National Speech and Debate Association store and help out with the NSDA National tournament, and every year I have countless students who walk up to purchase merchandise, look at my name tag, and say, “You’re Shania Hunt… you write for Champion Briefs, right? I love your topic analysis!” While this might be a humble brag, more importantly, it brings me so much joy to see our clients be thankful and happy with our product. That’s what we here at Champion Briefs aim for.
September 14, 2016
By Michael Norton
As a former Public Forum debater, I often find myself longing for the good old days of excitedly preparing for an important tournament. The endless time I spent researching and writing, though often tedious, was incredibly well spent. I learned more in debate than I did in any other club, activity, or even in any of my classes. At Champion Briefs, we are all former competitors looking to give back to a community that has taught all of us so much and provided unlimited opportunities for our futures. Statistically, debate has been proven to improve test scores, graduation rates, and is highly appealing to future employers. But personally, debate made me the person that I am today, and as the Editor-in-Chief of Champion Briefs’ Public Forum brief, it’s my job to help others have the same enriching experience I was able to have. Our philosophy here is that debate briefs are a crucial service for the debate community, designed to spur discussion and provide resources to as many corners of the country as possible. We do what we do because we love the activity and know that briefs are an important way to enhance the educational potential of Speech & Debate.
September 7, 2016
By Varad Agarwala
Click here to watch Varad Agarwala discuss the 2016 September/October Lincoln-Douglas Debate topic. You'll want this extra analysis to ensure success at upcoming tournaments!
September 5, 2016
By Harrison Hurt
Click here to watch Harrison Hurt discuss the 2016 September/October Public Forum Debate topic. You'll want this extra analysis to ensure success at upcoming tournaments!
September 1, 2016
By the CBI Team
Here's a fantastic Public Forum Demo Round on the September/October topic! We hope that novice and varsity debaters alike can use this to learn more about the fundamentals and intricacies of Public Forum Debate.
March 28, 2016
By Maria LaBella
Click here to watch Maria LaBella discuss the 2016 April Public Forum Debate topic. You'll want this extra analysis to ensure success at upcoming tournaments!
March 9, 2016
By Shania Hunt
Click here to watch Shania Hunt discuss the 2016 March/April Lincoln-Douglas Debate topic. You'll want this extra analysis to ensure success at upcoming tournaments!
March 7, 2016
By Becky Hall
Click here to watch Becky Hall discuss the 2015 March Public Forum Debate topic. You'll want this extra analysis to ensure success at upcoming tournaments!
February 8, 2016
By Christian Chessman
The February 2016 topic asks debaters to debate the wisdom of imposing a carbon tax on the United States, and in so doing asks debaters to wade into one of the biggest debates impacting the upcoming century. The threat of global warming combined with rapidly waning sources of fossil fuels mean that the status quo is not sustainable, and the only serious question is what comes next. The scholarly community largely echoes that position: the debate is not whether the status quo must change, but rather how it must change. Accordingly, the literature contains an enormous arsenal of negative arguments proposing serious and pragmatic alternatives to carbon taxes.
January 27, 2016
By Christian Chessman
The February 2016 NSDA Public Forum topic reads "Resolved: The United States federal government should adopt a carbon tax." This topic is an interest, economics-heavy topic that will introduce debaters to the complicated world of energy policy. Precisely because so much rides on the energy future of the United States, there is a rich and diverse literature discussing the wisdom (and perhaps the lack thereof) of carbon taxes. This Article will introduce the topic by offering a global overview of advice, then focusing on a clause I think most debaters will neglect: the actor clause.
January 19, 2016
By Becky Hall
Click here to watch Becky Hall discuss the 2015 February Public Forum Debate topic. You'll want this extra analysis to ensure success at upcoming tournaments!
January 11, 2016
By Christian Chessman
The January 2016 Public Forum topic asks whether economic sanctions reduce the threat posed by Russia to Western interests. One common negative argument suggests that sanctions increase the threat posed by Russia in one of two ways: by provoking Russia into retributive action and by giving the Russian government an excuse on which to blame its policy failures. This Article argues that both arguments can be effectively rebutted solely using the offense that exists in most affirmative cases, by using decision thresholds and incentive theory. Sanctions do not impact Russian interests and incentive in a vacuum; instead, sanctions likely form one part of a larger structural relationship between the West and Russia. Sanctions are a proverbial drop in a river whose flow and direction was long set before the imposition of sanctions.
January 5, 2016
By Christian Chessman
The Public Forum topic for January 2016 reads <strong>Resolved: On balance, economic sanctions are reducing the threat Russia poses to Western interests.</strong> The topic is a relatively traditional Public Forum topic both in that it deals with international relations generally and international security specifically. The topic also manages to pack an immense amount of meaning into a few words. Though the topic only comprises thirteen words, every phrase in the topic contains potentially round-determinative implications.
January 4, 2016
By Shayne Walton
Click here to watch Shayne Walton discuss the 2016 January/February Lincoln-Douglas Debate topic. You'll want this extra analysis to ensure success at upcoming tournaments!
December 21, 2015
By Adam Tomasi
The January-February resolution is crucial for many debaters’ seasons. For some, this will be the topic they debate at their NSDA or CFL district tournament. For many others, it will be the topic they debate at the Tournament of Champions, a culmination of five months of research and practice. Whether you’re in either situation, or even if you just want to boost your win count in the second half of the year, it’s important that you make the most of it.
December 2, 2015
By Becky Hall
Click here to watch Becky Hall discuss the 2015 December Public Forum Debate topic. You'll want this extra analysis to ensure success at upcoming tournaments!
November 5, 2015
By Adam Tomasi
A counterplan that I have heard people suggest is one that simply changes the laws the aff claims juries should nullify. For example, if the aff said that juries should nullify in favor of civil disobedients protesting what they see as unjust laws, the counterplan would say "The United States should repeal [the laws people are protesting]." That seems like a pretty devastating counterplan, and that is the problem.
November 3, 2015
By Christian Chessman
Like many others, I was particularly struck in early September by the photographs of Aylan Kurdi, a Syrian three-year-old whose lifeless body washed onto the shores of a Turkish beach. The visceral photos of Aylan"s drowned body - as well as heart-wrenching videos of his father"s grief - brought the crisis with Syrian refugees to the public consciousness.
October 29, 2015
By Belén Mella
Click here to watch Belén Mella discuss the 2015 November Public Forum Debate topic. You'll want this extra analysis to ensure success at upcoming tournaments!
October 28, 2015
By Adam Tomasi
Click here to watch Adam Tomasi discuss the 2015 November/December Lincoln-Douglas Debate topic. You'll want this extra analysis to ensure success at upcoming tournaments!
September 29, 2015
By Adam Tomasi
Cross-ex is one of my favorite parts of debate and it’s unfortunate to me that cross-ex is underutilized in so many LD rounds. Debaters spend too little time asking the strategic questions that they should be asking; instead, they’ll ask clarification questions on arguments that they probably didn’t need their opponents to clarify. If debaters improve their cross-ex strategy by asking on-point questions that weaken their opponent’s arguments from the start, they’ll improve their perceptual dominance and speaker points.
September 23, 2015
By Christian Chessman
The words we use matter. This basic proposition should be both familiar and intuitive to any debater. Words are the building blocks we use to construct cases. We quote the words of others to defeat arguments and win rounds. We order and optimize speeches to maximize the quality and quantity of our words; “word economy” is a common indicator of debate excellence. And the difference between the last-place team and the tournament champion is the words used in their rounds. At a basic level, the entire experience of debate reduces to the particular words we use.
September 18, 2015
By Christian Chessman
We fly around the country to compete in front of strangers for recognition from our insular community. We’re even willing to <i>pay</i> to give up our weekends in an effort to win that recognition – and sometimes win a little hardware too. We have opinions about good judging and bad judging and we try to adapt and accommodate all types of judges. We root for our teams. We root for other teams. We watch the best teams and we revel in good argumentation. Debate is as much a lifestyle as it is an activity because of these shared community practices and norms.
September 16, 2015
By Fred Ditzian
Click here to watch Fred Ditzian discuss the 2015 September/October Lincoln-Douglas Debate topic. You'll want this extra analysis to ensure success at the NSDA National Tournament!
September 15, 2015
By Jakob Urda
Click here to watch Jakob Urda discuss the 2015 September/October Public Forum Debate topic. You'll want this extra analysis to ensure success at the NSDA National Tournament!
June 3, 2015
By Fred Ditzian
Click here to watch Fred Ditzian discuss the 2015 June Lincoln-Douglas Debate topic. You'll want this extra analysis to ensure success at the NSDA National Tournament!
June 1, 2015
By Christian Chessman
Click here to watch Christian Chessman discuss the 2015 June Public Forum Debate topic. You'll want this extra analysis to ensure success at the NSDA National Tournament!
April 15, 2015
By Christian Chessman
Because the Tournament of Champions is arguably the most competitive tournament of the year, the judging tends towards higher quality adjudicators that have a background in debate. As a result, the Tournament of Champions represents a concentration of circuit-style culture that is unparalleled at any other tournament in the United States. The unique cultural space at the TOC gives debaters the chance to successfully debate in particular styles – and to deploy particular arguments – that would otherwise be unsuccessful at any other competition.
March 30, 2015
By Danny Rego
Click here to watch Danny Rego (2012 Champion, Tournament of Champions) discuss the 2015 April Public Forum Debate topic. You'll want this extra analysis to ensure success at the Tournament of Champions and other April tournaments!
March 12, 2015
By Christian Chessman
Nearly everyone agrees that the goal of the topic - universal education and a higher standard of living - is desirable. It would be very difficult to say otherwise. Who could coherently advocate for the creation of an un- or under-educated subclass of people in the most industrially advanced country in the world? Who could expressly wish a lesser standard of living on others? The impact level has an unbreakablable normative association with desireability.
March 3, 2015
By Fred Ditzian
Click here to watch Fred Ditzian discuss the 2015 March/April Lincoln-Douglas Debate topic. You'll want this extra analysis to ensure success on the March/April topic!
February 26, 2015
By Sam Lewis
Click here to watch Sam Lewis discuss the 2015 March Public Forum Debate topic. You'll want this extra analysis to ensure success on the March topic!
February 24, 2015
By Christian Chessman
The February 2015 topic is perhaps the most complicated debate topic that the Public Forum Debate community will encounter this year. Though globalization is undoubtedly the broadest subject area that the community has dealt with, the difficulty and complexity that inure to the resolution do so because of its impact metric: worldwide poverty alleviation. The seemingly simple concept of poverty becomes complicated as debaters seek to provide definition, scope, and measure to poverty. The process of turning poverty from a concept into a measurable variable is no simple task – and is arguably yet to be successfully done by scholars in the field. Scholars have debated the proper measure of poverty and thus the proper measure of poverty alleviation for decades.
February 5, 2015
By Christian Chessman
The February 2015 Public Forum topic dissects a fantastic subject area but does so using a poorly worded topic. The literature informing the debate about economic globalization is multifaceted, nuanced, and thorough. As a topic subject area, it could stand an entire year of debate without going stale. Unfortunately, the inclusion of "benefits worldwide poverty reduction" acts as a restrictive clause, precluding discussion of major aspects of economic globalization and heavily limiting the impact debate. In addition to the normative problems involved in forcing debaters into a limited view of the actual debate on globalization, the current wording deprives debaters of engagement with the actual crux of the literature debate.
January 21, 2015
By Justin Katz
Click here to watch Justin Katz (Champion, Harvard 2014 & Runner-Up, NSDA Nationals) discuss the 2015 February Public Forum Debate topic. You'll want this extra analysis to ensure success on the February topic!
January 13, 2015
By Christian Chessman
The January Public Forum topic is my favorite topic this year for a variety of reasons. I favor it personally and as a coach because it returns to the international relations literature in which I got my degree. But I also favor the topic as a judge, because it forces debaters to correct a problem I have discussed previously: over-reliance on statistical studies. Every debater with whom I have discussed this topic has lamented the absence of statistical studies on offensive peacekeeping operations conducted by the United Nations. These debaters take this fact to suggest that there are no studies on the subject matter of the January topic. They are wrong.
January 7, 2015
By Christian Chessman
The January 2015 debate topic is perhaps one of the most important topics of the year. The month of January is highly active and filled with a vast variety of diverse, high quality tournaments. The larger number of debates on the topic combined with the extra preparation time afforded by the holiday break means that debates in January tend to be of a higher caliber than almost any other month of the year. For that reason, I am profoundly excited to see how this topic unfolds as the month progresses.
January 6, 2015
By Salim Damerdji
Click here to watch Salim Damerdji discuss the 2015 January/February Lincoln-Douglas Debate topic. You'll want this extra analysis to ensure success on the Jan/Feb topic!
January 6, 2015
By Anna Waters
Click here to watch Anna Waters discuss the 2015 January Public Forum Debate topic. You'll want this extra analysis to ensure success on the January topic!
December 18, 2014
By Christian Chessman
Perhaps one of the most interesting nuances of Star Wars to discuss was “who shot first? Greedo or Han.” Did Han assault a lawful bounty hunter who simply sought to bring a fugitive to justice? Did Greedo violently escalate a situation in an effort to avoid the difficulties of bringing in a live prisoner, and then suffer the consequences of Han’s self-defense? The debate over who shot first meaningfully changes the entire nature of the exchange. The scene ironically demonstrates a key problem in delineating peacekeeping operations as offensive or defensive. In this article, I will argue there are four reasons UN Peacekeepers (PKOs) have always been de facto offensive regardless of their de jure escalation abilities.
December 3, 2014
By Tim Perevozchikov
Click here to watch Tim Perevozchikov (2014 NSDA National Champion) discuss the 2014 December Public Forum Debate topic. You'll want this extra analysis to ensure success on the December topic!
November 27, 2014
By Members of the Speech and Debate Community
This Thanksgiving, we asked students and coaches across the country one simple question: "Why are you thankful for Speech and Debate?" We have received some heartfelt answers and now we're ready to hear from you! Please feel free to read the submissions and submit your answer at the bottom of the page.
November 19, 2014
By Christian Chessman
I am quite public about my opinion that Public Forum Debate consistently benefits from its interrelationship with Policy Debate. Policy Debate has influenced Public Forum towards flow-driven argument, tried-and-true argument structures, and deeper argument analysis. Unfortunately, Public Forum Debate is not immune from influence by the less desirable elements of Policy Debate as well. Policy Debate has succumbed to a phenomena I call "the Cult of Cards". Debaters worship at the altar of evidence, treating written word as definitive regardless of the author's qualifications or underlying logic.
November 13, 2014
By Abby Wolff
Click here to watch Abby Wolff (Masters in Environmental Policy from the London School of Economics) discuss the 2014 November Public Forum Debate topic. You'll want this extra analysis to ensure success on the final tournaments of November!
November 5, 2014
By Shania Hunt
Click here to watch Shania Hunt discuss the 2014 Nov/Dec Lincoln-Douglas Debate topic. You'll want this extra analysis to ensure success on the Nov/Dec topic!
November 4, 2014
By Tim Perevozchikov
Click here to watch Tim Perevozchikov (2014 NSDA National Champion) discuss the 2014 November Public Forum Debate topic. You'll want this extra analysis to ensure success on the November topic!
October 22, 2014
By Bailey Rung
With the constant fluidity present in Congressional Debate, it’s easy to get caught up in the moment. The cogs turn in our heads, the pens move furiously, and we get in the proverbial ‘zone.’ During this melee, it’s very easy to forget about the truly important people in the room: The Judges. We often spend so much of our in-round and out-of-round time preparing material and politicking, that we forget that what judges look for is ever-expanding and ever-changing. It’s easy to get a ballot back, see that we got dropped, and blame it on a bad judge. In reality, it’s because we didn’t do enough to adapt to the round or the judges. Congressional Debate is by far the most change-prone event in Forensics, and that’s why it’s important that the issue of personal adaptation and revision be discussed as the season gets underway.
October 21, 2014
By Christian Chessman
The presence of gender subordination in the lives of debaters, coaches, and alumni cannot be understated. Female debaters are subject to unwanted, uncomfortable sexual advances and even sexual assault<sup>[1]</sup>. Debaters throw around the term “rape” as slang for beating another team (“we raped them”) when one in three women suffer sexual assault in the United States. Intersex<sup>[2]</sup>, trans*<sup>[3]</sup> or genderqueer<sup>[4]</sup> debaters still face basic participation barriers; I cannot find a single tournament description that notes the availability of unisex bathrooms or other necessary amenities. Anecdotal evidence suggests debate participation and coaching is sex imbalanced – there are overwhelmingly more male debaters and coaches than the percentage of men in the population – though we cannot confirm this empirically without the data that the NSDA has started collecting from debaters.
October 9, 2014
By Martin Page
<p>“What is the current status of the Roma in Europe?”</p> <p>A fellow competitor asked me something along those lines during a debate on the Romani People during the 2010 Yale semifinal. It was a very basic but important question, and I didn’t know the answer. Because I didn’t know the answer, I dodged the question, saying that it “wasn’t the point.” Predictably, I did not compete in the final that year, and my ballots weren’t particularly kind to me.</p>
October 2, 2014
By Jeffrey Greenberg
Okay, I get it. This sounds really straightforward, and there's no way you could not know how to incorporate news stories into your cases, blocks, Ks, and shells. You're all Lincoln-Douglas debaters after all. You can cite with the best of them, spread like lightning, and run circles around your opponents. You’ve got eyes for good evidence, and if you do decide to settle for something ripped out of the headlines, you know how to pick the right story. That’s fine. You may be right. But, and I’m basing this off of firsthand experience right now – you’re probably wrong. LD debaters on the circuit, for whatever reason, seem to have trouble using news stories or journalism pieces as legitimate sources of evidence.
September 24, 2014
By Towsif Ahasan
When I debated as a novice, I remember thinking that lay judges were “illegit,” and whenever I was dropped by a lay judge, I could just brush it off as bad judging. I’d just make myself believe that if someone who <i>actually</i> understood debate judged me, they would pick me up, because come on, <i>obviously</i> I was the best. The worst part was that this vicious cycle was reaffirmed by many of the people I talked to; I could tell another debater that I was dropped by an “illegit” lay judge, and they would just nod, agree and sympathize.
September 18, 2014
By Joe Russell
On September 18, 2014, we will host a FREE live newscast as part of the Champion Briefs Congressional Debate and Extemporaneous Speaking service. Joe Russell, National Finalist in Extemp, will review the week's news while accepting questions and discussion points from the audience through Twitter.
September 17, 2014
By Brittany Stanchik
Join Brittany Stanchik as she discusses basic refutation structure and strategy on the Coach's Corner! Our service for Congressional Debate and Extemporaneous Speaking includes a variety of videos, such as this one, designed to keep students engaged and informed about the world. First, we will host our own newscast videos that discuss world events in the context of application of the information to a speech. These videos will be streamed live every other week so that students and coaches may Tweet questions to the news anchor and have her answer them on-air.
September 17, 2014
By Bailey Rung
As fall looms, we, a small group of America's finest young men and women, don our suits, put pens in our mouths, and speak to walls. While those unenlightened folk around us assume it's some sort of cult, we know it to just be another season of Speech & Debate; although admittedly the distinction is often unclear. Regardless of what dark rituals we perform to become better communicators, we often find the process of getting back in the saddle to be somewhat daunting. So even if you are a novice policy debater in southern California, a seasoned congressperson from upstate New York, or anyone in between, let's make the large and broad transition just a bit easier by examining the real framework of Speech & Debate: Research.
September 15, 2014
By Jackson Ave
Click here to watch Jack Ave discuss the 2014 September/October Lincoln-Douglas Debate topic. You'll want this extra analysis before attending the first tournaments of the year!
September 10, 2014
By Christian Chessman
Relevant literature on the September/October 2014 sports topic appears to come predominantly in one of two forms: academic pieces and opinion news articles. While the latter vary strongly in terms of quality and length, my experience reading them has revealed an overarching theme: they rely on anecdotes. This makes sense, given the structure and purpose of news media: to draw attention and create revenue through sales. It is undoubtedly true that anecdotes can serve as powerful tools for illustrating a specific point.
September 4, 2014
By Isabella Paretti
On September 4, 2014, we will host a FREE live newscast as part of the Champion Briefs Congressional Debate and Extemporaneous Speaking service. Isabella Paretti, National Finalist in Extemp, will review the week's news while accepting questions and discussion points from the audience through Twitter.
September 4, 2014
By Isabella Paretti
On September 4, 2014, we will host a FREE live newscast as part of the Champion Briefs Congressional Debate and Extemporaneous Speaking service. Isabella Paretti, National Finalist in Extemp, will review the week's news while accepting questions and discussion points from the audience through Twitter.
September 3, 2014
By Christian Chessman
Debaters often find themselves falling prey to what coach Scott Philips terms “rigid style.” Philips notes that for one reason or another, debaters often make unstrategic assumptions about the limits and potential for argument in debate. He advocates instead for “debate Jeet Kun Do”, and has a pretty interesting application of the martial arts philosophy to debate strategy and selection. In honor of Bruce Lee and recognition of Scott Philips, this post will apply “debate Jeet Kun Do” to the September/October Public Forum debate topic and advocate for economics affirmatives.
September 2, 2014
By Tim Perevozchikov
Click here to watch Tim Perevozchikov (2014 NSDA National Champion) discuss the 2014 September/October Public Forum Debate topic. You'll want this extra analysis before attending the first tournaments of the year!
August 27, 2014
By Christian Chessman
Public Forum Debate topics typically last only one month to ensure topics remain timely and to expose debaters to a broad swath of current events. In 2013, the National Speech and Debate Association modified the Public Forum topic schedule slightly, and extended the first topic length from one month (September) to two months (September and October). Their public rationale included, among other reasons, the assertion that extending the length of the first topic could help introduce novice debaters to the concepts, skills, and practices underlying effective Public Forum Debate without worrying about the need to cut new evidence contemporaneously.
August 21, 2014
By Brittany Stanchik
Join Brittany Stanchik as she discusses basic refutation structure and strategy on the first edition of Coach's Corner! Our service for Congressional Debate and Extemporaneous Speaking includes a variety of videos, such as this one, designed to keep students engaged and informed about the world. First, we will host our own newscast videos that discuss world events in the context of application of the information to a speech. These videos will be streamed live every other week so that students and coaches may Tweet questions to the news anchor and have her answer them on-air.
August 21, 2014
By The Policy Debate Staff
Our briefs and politics updates for Policy Debate are fundamentally different than anything else available because of their intuitive structure and high quality of arguments. All of our Policy files are compatible with the Verbatim filing system. In addition to weekly politics updates, Champion Briefs will provide you with analysis of current events relating to the topic. We recognize that there are two worlds currently present in Policy Debate: traditional and kritikal.
August 15, 2014
By Isabella Paretti
Our service for Congressional Debate and Extemporaneous Speaking includes a variety of videos designed to keep students engaged and informed about the world. First, we will host our own newscast videos that discuss world events in the context of application of the information to a speech. These videos will be streamed live every other week so that students and coaches may Tweet questions to the news anchor and have her answer them on-air.
August 15, 2014
By The Policy Briefs Staff
Our briefs and politics updates for Policy Debate are fundamentally different than anything else available because of their intuitive structure and high quality of arguments. All of our Policy files are compatible with the Verbatim filing system. In addition to weekly politics updates, Champion Briefs will provide you with analysis of current events relating to the topic.
June 6, 2014
By Christian Chessman
This topic is unusual for Public Forum debate because it permits – and honestly, encourages – a strong topicality debate at the core of the resolution. The action mechanism "strengthening the relationship" is not a term of art, and seems amorphous and indeterminate. The limits to the scope of "strengthen" appear to be the creativity of the affirmative team – a clever team could find a niche action with niche advocates and steamroll with a small affirmative. This post will look at various interpretations of the topicality debate for the NSDA topic.
May 22, 2014
By The Public Broadcasting Service
PBS Frontline recently published a documentary about security and privacy titled "The United States of Secrets." If you're looking for information relating to the NSDA Nationals Lincoln-Douglas Topic, this is the perfect place to start!
May 16, 2014
By Joseph Perretta
Introducing Champion Briefs for Congressional Debate and Extemporaneous Speaking! Each week, our team of researchers will publish a 15-20 minute long video reviewing the week's events in the context of Congress & Extemp. We'll analyze world events, provide links to possible arguments, and make some predictions about what may happen next. During the 2014-2015 Speech & Debate season, we'll provide these videos and other great resources as part of a Congress/Extemp package but for now, you can enjoy these videos for free!
May 16, 2014
By Joseph Perretta
Introducing Champion Briefs for Congressional Debate and Extemporaneous Speaking! Each week, our team of researchers will publish a 15-20 minute long video reviewing the week's events in the context of Congress & Extemp. We'll analyze world events, provide links to possible arguments, and make some predictions about what may happen next. During the 2014-2015 Speech & Debate season, we'll provide these videos and other great resources as part of a Congress/Extemp package but for now, you can enjoy these videos for free!
May 15, 2014
By Christian Chessman
<p>The NCFL always has interesting topics, and this one is no different. I think the core subject of the resolution – the minimum wage – is timely, interesting, and academically rich as a subject for debate. The literature surrounding the minimum wage will be educational for most debaters, and may resonate with the personal situations many debaters find themselves in. Understanding both the common arguments and economic nuances of this debate will equip debaters with the tools to participate broadly in public discussions of the minimum wage. </p>
May 15, 2014
By Christian Chessman
<p>Kenneth Waltz revolutionized the way international relations scholars approach conflict in international relations theory with his 1959 book "Man, the State, and War". Waltz claimed that theories fell into one of three explanations; government-level explanations, individual-level explanations, and system-level explanations. He noted that explanations of war were more or less persuasive depending on the actor in focus (or "unit of analysis"). Focusing on different actors at different levels could obscure or highlight different problems related to war theorizing.
May 6, 2014
By Ethan Goldstein
Click here to watch Ethan Goldstein (2013 NCFL Nats Champion) discuss the 2014 May Public Forum Debate topic. With the NCFL Grand National Tournament approaching quickly, you'll want this extra analysis!
May 6, 2014
By Christian Chessman
<p>The people who decide Public Forum Debate topics have an immense but subtle power; to direct the time, thoughts, and energy of several thousand debaters and coaches across the country for the next several weeks or months. That power is unique to two institutions in the United States of America - the National Speech and Debate Association and the National Catholic Forensics League. While the NSDA sets the majority of the year's topics and the NCFL sets only one, the latter's topic is no less important.</p>
April 9, 2014
By Michael Fried
My topic analysis will explore dual-interpretations of the topic: "developing countries should prioritize environmental protection over resource extraction when the two conflict," as some interpretations will be best suited for stock topical debate, while others may be appropriate in isolated strategic circumstances. I'll cover key terms, topical concerns, affirmative strategy, and negative strategy.
April 8, 2014
By Christian Chessman
The April 2014 topic reads Resolved: Prioritizing economic development over environmental protection is in the best interest of the people of India. On face, the topic requires debaters to analyze the apparent forced choice between development and environmental protection. But on further examination, I think the affirmative has a diverse and creative set of strategic options that minimize and even eliminate negative ground by explaining and contextualizing the ambiguous concepts in the resolution.
March 26, 2014
By Christian Chessman
The April 2014 topic for Public Forum Debate deals with a perennial problem that faces the developing countries generally and the people of India specifically – the apparent tradeoff between economic development and environmental protection. Because industrial and post-industrial countries have already damaged the global environment severely during their development phases, modern developing countries face an unprecedented dilemma. These countries face a choice between the cheap, readily available forms of economic development that hurt the environment, and an impending ecological catastrophe in the form of global warming, biosphere collapse and species extinction, and toxic aerosolized and pollution.
March 20, 2014
By Arjun Byju
Click here to watch Arjun Byju (2013 TOC Champion) discuss the 2014 April Public Forum Debate topic. With the Tournament of Champions and other April tournaments approaching quickly, you'll want this extra analysis!
March 18, 2014
By Christian Chessman
The strongest literature on the March topic is statistical. Statistics – and statistical studies – are endowed with an aura of scientific legitimacy that might be the edge in a close debate round. That's why the ability to analyze studies – and explain that analysis effectively to a lay judge audience – is of paramount importance both generally as a debater and specifically on this topic.
March 6, 2014
By Christian Chessman
The structure of Public Forum Debate incentivizes debaters to gravitate towards the most intuitive and simple set of arguments. Both the brief time limits and lay audience make complicated arguments — or arguments that require substantial amounts of explanation to win — typically less strategic than the core of the topic. As a result, many debaters systematically miss strategic argumentative options that are not immediately apparent. This post will examine one such option — rollback arguments.
March 5, 2014
By Christian Chessman
The March 2014 topic is an unprecedented opportunity for Public Forum Debate competitors in that gender, as a topic area, has never before been addressed. The novelty of gender analysis may be both valuable and challenging for debaters. Gender as a topic area is valuable because it exposes debaters to new concepts, forms of analysis, and ideas. At the same time, these concepts may be foreign compared to regularly debated topics like military interventionism, drone strikes, and national security. This topic analysis will start by clarifying topical concepts necessary to effectively debate the literature and then discuss specific arguments for and against the resolution.
March 3, 2014
By Christian Chessman
Despite the importance of the affirmative constructive, I see debaters make two surprisingly common mistakes: first, defending too much ground and second, defending arguments that do not prove the resolution true. In a close round, these mistakes can be the difference between a win and a loss. This post will explore how to craft strategic affirmative cases on the March 2014 topic regarding the educational impact of single-gender classrooms.
February 25, 2014
By Andrew Dolberg
High School Speech and Debate is an activity that fosters intellectual growth but the degree to which it changes students' lives is immeasurable. To fully understand the impact that it has on students' lives, we must look to the different aspects of the activity. Research is the obvious one; students who participate in any event learn through their findings when researching debate topics, filing for Extemp, exploring topic areas for Original Oratory and Interpretation, etc. This, however, is not the key to the transformative aspect of the activity.
February 25, 2014
By Michael Norton
Part of what makes High School Debate so popular among the country's greatest orators is the competitive nature. Debate's academic meritocracy appeals to students with drive, pushing them to develop not only as debaters, but as well-balanced young scholars. However, as is true in many academic circles (philosophy, STEM, business, etc.), the supposed 'academic meritocracy' is predicated on an uneven playing field.
February 25, 2014
By Brian Hodge
Before I begin my discussion of the topic itself, I’d like to first make a few points about the way I envision this topic analysis being used. As a debater, I always found topic analyses to be very useful, as they provide a detailed insight into the ideas that I would be debating for the next two months. While, of course, it’s true that I would have my own initial thoughts on the topic, being exposed to the views of someone else prompted me to question my own initial assumptions and forced me to examine the topic in a new and distinct way.
February 25, 2014
By Andrew Dolberg
Technology has changed the Speech and Debate community. I don't just mean that we now are able to become paperless or that we can store files on laptops for in-round use - I mean at a fundamental level. I recently had a conversation with a debater who competed in the early '90s about debate research in a time before Google. He described a world where research took significantly more time and effort and explained that modern debaters really take technology for granted.
February 25, 2014
By Danny Rego
There are many things that a debater can do to change the course of a round in their favor. Providing analysis can be the easiest way to do this but unfortunately, debaters have a tendency to rely on arguments with numbers behind them, and will sacrifice solid analytical argumentation for a simple figure. This is an ever-growing problem in the community that limits the quality of argumentation to the black and white world of statistics rather than the colorful world of critical thinking.
February 25, 2014
By Courtney Brunson
When Public Forum Debate was originally created, it was distinguished as an event that was meant to be accessible for the common man. It was designed so that if a person were to be pulled off of the street, they could easily adjudicate a round as the debaters were supposed to be effective at using their skills of persuasion through pathos, ethos and logos to convince the person of any cause.