Instructional
Evidence Photographs
Recently, I’ve run into more competitors who refuse to allow their evidence to be photographed during / after round. I, for one, do not fully understand the arguments against this. Photographing evidence allows debaters to: Ensure everyone is citing evidence accurately (i.e. text is verbatim) Quickly collect citations (very little time in-between rounds) Promote better [...]
Debriefing the Double Up
Some thoughts from this weekend: 1) The tournament really benefited from the great Midwestern schools that swelled the ranks. Some great debaters to watch, and got to hang a bit with Glenn Prince again. 2) The cultural gulf between L/D in the Midwest and L/D in California is fairly wide. Some evidence: One California judge [...]
Starter Packet for 2011-12 Topic
I attach here a starter packet for teams looking to begin practicing. It is likely of lower quality than the larger teams already have, but it should allow small and/or new teams to start practicing right away. It includes a currency manipulation aff (donated by Danny), some specific negative against currency manipulation, a specific DA against currency [...]
Good introduction to trade debate
Debate Central is a project of the National Center for Policy Analysis where overviews and evidence is provided to help spur high school policy debate. In the spring of 2010 UIL had a topic that dealt with free trade versus protectionism. While it’s not exactly the same topic we’re covering the site features a great [...]
Need an idea for an affirmative? Start here!
We’re drawing closer to the beginning of the NFA-LD season—if you haven’t chosen a case or done research, it’s past time to get started. This is a big resolution to cover, so affirmative selection isn’t necessarily an easy task. Fortunately, in 2005-2006, the NDT-CEDA policy debate community debated the following resolution – Resolved: The United [...]
Subnational Cooperation
I first want to start by thanking Kern for coming on as an author on SoCal-LD.net! Kern is entering his third and final year of LD Debate for Rice University. I’m excited to hear Kern’s view points from a different circuit in NFA-LD. Regarding the ability to counterplan I think there is a growing body [...]
Topical Counterplans (2011-2012)
Related to Matt Whitman’s thesis on topical counterplans, I am curious how the community believes the NFA-LD rule prohibiting “topical counterproposals” should be viewed, in light of this year’s resolution. Specifically, since the China resolution is bi-directional, wouldn’t this exclude most (if not all) viable counterplan options for the negative? As competitors and judges, do [...]
NDCA Open Evidence Project
I wanted to remind everyone that the National Debate Coaches Association runs the “Open Evidence Project” which aims to release thousands of files from high school debate camps to the debate community. While a lot of the files are obviously not relevant for us this year (although if your case deals with space it may [...]
One Stop Research Center
Just found this while doing some basic research on the topic…http://www.futureofuschinatrade.com/ … seems pretty good! It’s hosted by Arizona State University and The Kearny Alliance which gives it a lot of credibility. Post the best stuff you find in the comments! I wonder if we can get the collaboration to sponsor the SoCal-LD Championships this [...]
2011-2012 Resolution Announced
As stated, the NFA LD Resolution would be announced on July 1st. The NFA Lincoln Douglas Debate Resolution for 2011-2012 will be as follows: RESOLVED: THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD SUBSTANTIALLY CHANGE ITS TRADE POLICY AND/OR PRACTICES WITH THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA. Larry Schnoor, President, NFA Remember folks, this resolution is not bi-directional, [...]
What is the “Best” Affirmative?
Topic day is tomorrow! The following is a repost of some insightful commentary about affirmative selection by Stephen Murray, a former TOC-qualified high school policy debater and a current NDT debater at Trinity University. He discusses some of the strategic elements that allow certain affs to dominate the competition relative to other affs. Keep this [...]
Debating the Most Intuitive Cases Under the Resolution
Part of being a successful debater is having a solid case. What exactly qualifies as a solid case is open for debate (pun intended). I have always been an advocate of debating the most intuitive case under the resolution. Some of my contemporaries believe in cutting obscure cases that either barely meet the burdens of [...]
