Supplies!
I recognize this is a rather odd topic to bring up, but we’ve never discussed it on this page. What kinds of supplies do L/D debaters need to bring to tournaments? I’ll share a couple of ideas, and then members of the community can flesh this out.
For files – My debaters use a small file box (known affectionately at CBU as a “nerdy box”). They’re relatively cheap, and multipurpose. They’re rugged enough to use from year, large enough to hold everything we would ever use in L/D, and small enough not to be a nuisance in the van. Here is the one we use. Obviously, we use a large tub for CEDA/NDT and extemp, but it’s usually overkill for L/D.
Beyond that, I like to keep affirmatives separate on 3-ring binders. This is useful to separate the case if your opponent asks for a specific piece of evidence, but also makes it easy to find the whole case in a hurry. Normal 1/2″ binders work great for this purpose.
Of course, in order to save paper all evidence should be submitted to some centralized source (coach or student volunteer) who can make sure everyone’s formatting matches up and distribute the needed evidence to all debaters before the tournament. I don’t believe (this is just my opinion) that NFA L/D rules allow reading of evidence off of a laptop, because it violates the rule that evidence must be provided upon request. (Unless of course, you’re willing to fork over your laptop.)
Believe it or not, there’s even a kind of pen that my debaters prefer. It’s here. It’s a .7mm gel ink rollerball, which apparently is able to “flow” faster than other types of pens. I’m not so picky, but my debaters swear by them. A common technique is to rubber band a black or blue pen to a red pen upside-down to quickly switch from flowing affirmative arguments in one color, to the negative arguments in another (usually red) color.
That’s my $.02. Am I missing anything?
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Comments
I would agree with everything you said. Obviously, the “bright line” on laptops is whether the evidence can be shared or not. I’m not anti-laptop (I flow on one as judge on occasion), but I think the principle of transparency is an important part of the educational goals of the activity.
At Lafayette we don’t even use tubs, manila folders or hanging folders. We use accordion files exclusively, and store them in duffle bags and backpacks. While it admittedly doesn’t look as professional, they are MUCH easier to travel with. They don’t break on planes and they take up much less space on vans. Additionally, you can carry on our aff accordion when we fly. NEVER EVER PUT YOUR AFFIRMATIVE IN CHECKED LUGGAGE!!!
Also, you should try out different pens and paper until you find one that helps you flow the best. There is no perfect pen or paper, it depends on each debater.
One thing I’d recommend too is for coaches to bring a spare copy of most of the ‘team’ files with them. Kind of like John’s comment – in case a debater loses their filebox (whatever form that takes) – it’s nice if there is a backup.
At Cerritos we are going with mainly a ‘squad’-case and negative strategy at Concordia (our first tournament) and so I’ll have a backup of all the files. Seems like a smart thing to do =)
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I have always found it handy to keep extra file folders, tape, scissors, and a dictionary handy. Best advice is to bring everything, even if you never use it. Most debaters are asked to share evidence, and they use laptops. You can’t fight “progress”, so some debaters may want to debate off their laptops and flow on their laptops, but have hard copies of their evidence to share. I suppose some would even do it the other way around. But you can sometimes get a lot done in between rounds, so you want to have all of the supplies to make new arguments/briefs in between those rounds. Water bottles are always nice to have, and these days most debaters have timers to time themselves and others in the debate. There’s a pretty funny video on YouTube put out by some high school kids about what happens from beginning to end at a debate tournament. For some of your students who may be really anxious, that could help. Best thing is to just have one extra of everything, like Danny was saying in his seminar, so in case someone loses or forgets something, the coach has a copy. Oh, and more sophisticated teams will of course bring a laptop, and a printer, and be ready to get the latest evidence for that surprise case. That’s more hard core, as are the walkie talkies, but it is good to know that it is out there just in case you ever see it happen. I remember being at Vanderbilt once when a helicopter flew over. My partner said, “Uh oh, looks like Dartmouth is flying in some more evidence.” While that is far-fetched, with technology we hardly have to fly, we just click ‘send’. Good luck getting ready! sek