Blog

In Defense of the Lay Judge

Finian Knepper | 12/18/24

"A common critique of lay judges is that they have no understanding of the metrics of which events should be scored on, they purely vote for perceptual dominance. These critics forget that there is no scorecard. What a judge prefers will bounce back and forth. Paradigms exist to help competitors navigate them, as they are expected to. Is it unfair then, for forensics to be expected to work with the perspective of someone to whom, this is all new? The answer is no."

The "Death Good" Problem: Debate and Sensitive Topics

Anonymous | 12/4/24

"We are taught to think of horrifying real world-events as good uniqueness cards, appropriate discriminatory rhetoric for good links, and turn a blind eye to journalistic ethics for the strongest worded evidence in favor of our points."

Out of the Closet, Into the Round: Queerness in Debate

Meilyn Aubuchon | 11/20/24

"Coaches are scared to teach debaters queer theory, competitors don’t want to answer it, and judges don’t want to evaluate it, and turn to banning instead of learning. If all we do in the debate community is ban the things that we don’t understand, how are we supposed to create a safe and inclusive place for queer debaters to express their identities?"

Program of Lies

Zarreen Johnson | 11/6/24

"The erasure of songs, books, movies, poetry and so many more written forms of media... it’s just a contest on who can twist the narrative the best, cut out all of the color in a story, and make it a film of black and white. All to earn a trophy." 

Lost in Translation: The Struggle to Adapt Between Circuits

Sophia Elkin | 10/23/24

"In each tournament, dozens of debaters find themselves unfairly overlooked and miss out on the placements they undoubtedly deserve. These inconsistencies create an uneven playing field, making it difficult for debaters to transition between circuits."

Novices Need Friends, Too

Euan Thomasson | 10/9/24

"When we all do our part, we help the people who don’t know who to ask for help, or even how to ask for it in the first place. Be the change you wanted when you were new, and be the reason we see growth on the circuit."

Funding Disparities Between Districts; How to Close the Gap

Owen Phelps | 9/25/24

"Right now, fellow debaters are being put at a massive disadvantage at the state circuit level purely because of their geological location, with less resources, lesser funded tournaments, and worst of all, fewer opportunities. However, the disparity does not have to stay this way to this extreme. We can help close the gap."

Stop Obsessing over Debate!

Antonio Chamu | 9/11/24

"Debate has turned into the 'worklympics,' where people cut 300 cards a day, have 3,000-page block files less than a month after the topic was announced, and compete to see who can have the bigger backfile. Obsession doesn’t just crank out pages of documents; it cranks you out."

The Problem with Hostility in Debate

Kira Waldhalm | 8/28/24

"As a judge, the most important thing you want to see in a round are clashes of well-made arguments...Yet, many debate rounds can turn into people bullying their opponents into feeling less than them. It doesn’t matter if you’re going against someone competing in their very first varsity tournament, that doesn’t give you the right to treat them less than you."

An Ode to the Death of Rural Debate

Dani Scantlin | 8/14/24

"We can save rural speech and debate via centralization, resource infrastructure, and training, but I think there are two more items that need to be talked about: support and advocacy... as rural debaters, we're just expected to fend for ourselves. But if we do not want to talk about the death of rural speech and debate programs, who will?"

On Trigger Warnings in Congress

Yijar Ivy Lin | 7/31/24

"A competitor at National Qualifiers shouldn’t have to worry about their qualification hopes being dashed because they missed an entire bill’s worth of debate for the sake of their own mental health. A competitor at the TOC or Nationals should be focused on their next questioning period, not questioning whether or not they should leave the room during their next speech."

Forensics: A Fashion Show?

Shriya Surana | 7/17/24

"Over and over again we tell the students that they must change and minimize themselves to fit into an archetype for the judge...we do not become a better speaker by wearing shoulder pads, concealer, or heels to cover up who we authentically are. Forensics shouldn't be a fashion show, it should be a documentary. And you’re the star."

Why Are Accommodations So Inaccessible?

Nex Bortnick | 6/12/24

"If tournaments are legally required to grant accommodations, why do coaches like mine believe they are not offered? Do we have them or not? If we do, why are they so difficult to access? How does the process actually work and what are tournaments required to provide? Why is there no guidance for finding any of this out? "

Let's Talk Resource Accessibility in PF

Steven Linkh | 5/29/24

"PF is rising to become one of the most popular events in forensics, but just because it is a “public forum” doesn’t mean that it is actually accessible to the general public. Many teams lack access to quality resources and teaching. And the unfortunate reality of this is these debate programs are fighting an uphill battle compared to other teams."

Our Inherent Privilege

Mia Tschan | 5/15/24

"...it’s not enough just to recognize our privilege. We have an obligation to help pay that forward to advance equity in other schools throughout our communities. "

Un-Original Oratory

Mia Tschan | 5/1/24

"Ten minutes to persuade a person to change their entire worldview? That’s absurd! Even so, that’s what a good oratory can accomplish. Champions aren’t made in between the lines—they’re made on the edges. Innovate, experiment, but most importantly, remember to have fun—and please, don’t write an un-Original Oratory!"

A Girl Debater's Guide to Keep Going

Natalyia Kopack | 4/17/24

"To the female debaters across the nation struggling because of the obstacles we face, keep going. You’re more than what other people think. You have the capability to excel and you deserve to feel on top of the world. Keep on debating."

Speech Quality Over Speaking Quantity

Matthew Klacik | 3/27/24

 "It is not the duty of the Chamber to ensure each person will speak an equal number of times, but rather it is the duty of the Chamber to ensure each person gets the equal opportunity to speak on a variety of bills."

ChatGPT, is This Real?

Abraham Zhang| 3/13/24

"As the speech and debate community watches artificial intelligence branch into more and more aspects of life, let’s preserve the best parts of extemp — the originality, the personality, and the integrity of speakers by keeping it out of our competitions."

Dying Debate Programs and How to Save Them

John Mueger | 2/28/24

"The issue can stem from the schools themselves, when coaches and program leadership do not correctly promote debate in schools. The issue of growing debate does not start on the circuit, but in schools."

The Ballad of Speechies and Debaters

Arjun Patil | 2/14/24

"Through the heat of forensics, it is easy to forget the underlying purpose of the activity: to have meaningful discourse and function as a decision making process. Too often, it is misconstrued as a means to an end, the end being a trophy, a title, or simply pride."

Docket Group Chats Are Still Harmful for Congress

Nicholas Ostheimer | 1/31/24

"Too often, these GCs are really just a docket discussion among a handful of active, vocal, and well-connected debaters looking out for their own best interests."

Extempers: Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

Anonymous Publication | 1/3/24

"I was able to compete at NSDA Nationals only through pressure-washing driveways until we had the money to get to Arizona, where we had a relative willing to save us the hotel and car fees."

Bring Back the Illinois State Tournament: Inequities in State Circuits

CJ Getting | 12/6/23

"The lack of just 3 schools at the State tournament took away the opportunity that sparked my continued commitment to debate for the remaining 55."

United We Stand, Divided We Fall: The Small State Conundrum

Brandon Anderson | 11/22/23

"When we are divided in our pursuit to gatekeep resources from one another, small states fall off the map. However, when small states and districts are united together to foster improvement, we forge the path to stand on the final stage."

What does AI mean for Equity in Debate?

Santiago Doménech | 11/8/23

"With everyone taking sides, debate has been slow in choosing whether to allow AI or not. Debate is no exception to the impacts of AI, and the crucial point to answer now is whether these tools will have a positive or negative impact in shaping our discussions."

Do It For the College App!

Nicholas Ostheimer | 10/11/23

"Being conscious of problems in society, in your community, or in the debate space is not the same thing as working to solve them. As much as everyone has to take care of their interests, I truly believe we all have a duty to make the world a better place."

A Call to Action: Idaho's Proposed Elimination of Entry Caps in Debate

Cooper Brody | 9/27/23

"To be clear, I advocate for getting rid of all tournament caps. But the new team-based cap that is being proposed makes the competitive landscape in Idaho even worse."

Pink Suits and Laughs: 

Why Women Quit Debate

Jordyn Rubman | 9/13/23

"Far too often I enter a round to see my male opponents smile and whisper to each other that this will be an easy round."

A Glimpse Into the FCDI

AmandaLesly Miranda | 8/30/23

"In FCDI’s first year, Florida added 59 active teams in 30 different school districts across the state. In its second year, the program has grown by over 100 teams in 48 school districts for the 2021-2022 school year."

Others' Trauma is Not Your Trophy

Owen Casey | 8/16/23

"If you can not serve justice to those that you are talking about as if they are right in front of you, you have no right to put their name in your mouth."

POs Among Us

Athena Tian | 2/10/23

"The presiding officers are the only competitors whose ranks do not fluctuate... [they are] nearly guaranteed to wind up either winning, or nearly winning"

The Importance of Accountability in Speech and Debate

Athena Tian | 1/1/23

"Despite attempts to keep community members in check, why do participants continue to feel discrimination, inequality, violence, and prejudice?"

Classical Small School Debater Tips

Sid Thandassery | 11/4/22

"Small school debating can feel kind of impossible sometimes, but there is always a silver lining and alternative methods to get things done."

Facing Your Fears: Limited Preparation Events

Valor Lekas | 10/7/22

"The experience is eerily similar to writing a DBQ, except you have to find your own documents, you don't have the space of writing a word to formulate your ideas, and there's not even close to enough time to construct anything more than a basic outline."

Congress is Boring

Nicholas Ostheimer | 9/16/22

"Debate became more technical, leaving behind its roots in performance, advocacy, and roleplay, and refocusing on a more detailed argument about the benefits and negatives of the legislation. Congress is trying to be something it's not."

Make Hybrid WSD Debate Teams the Norm

Nicholas Ostheimer | 9/2/22

"WSD's unique format makes it a unique challenge for leagues and debate organizations to facilitate. Instead of ignoring this nuance and limiting teams to a single school, leagues and organizations should examine different ways to allow and foster hybrid teams."

Language Based Privilege In Speech and Debate

Athena Tian | 8/12/22

"ESL students face limitations even in this aspect as fast-paced interp scripts and the increased popularity of progressive debate and spreading severely hinder their ability to interpret their competitors words."

The Need for Epistemic Humility in High School Debate

Sungjoo Yoon | 7/30/22

"Adding a generally leftist sphere to arrogant high school students is likely to produce an uncompromising, ‘holier-than-thou’ paradigm where debaters and judges alike reject the meager possibility of alternative moral standing."

A Balancing Act

Sid Thandassery | 7/9/22

"Overall, I feel like this might be a little scattered, but the idea is quite simple: just make sure to balance your life because you don’t want to lose out on some of the feelings or experiences that influence and shape the rest of your life."

Promoting Equity, Inclusion, and Community

Luqmaan Thein | 5/28/22

"Coaches and school administrators have a vital role to play... Sharing resources, they can become the agents of a change that seeks to democratize an activity that can become very elitist and exclusive, and that pushes for consistent improvement amongst competitors."

In Defense of Progressive Debate

Sid Thandassery | 5/13/22

"I genuinely believe that progressive debate is the most educational form of debate there is. This is because progressive debate allows you to get more into your speech, read different types of arguments, and approach the topic from all different points and from different thought processes."

The Growing Need for Evidence Ethics in Debate

Adit Pakala | 4/9/22

"In a time where the scope of available evidence proliferates, it is becoming increasingly difficult for theory shells to corroborate theory shells with explicit proof of evidence misuse."

The Problem With Performance Activism in Debate

Adit Pakala | 3/25/22

"Finally, an organization’s activities should focus on leading palpable change rather than just spreading awareness."

Recurring Elitism in Debate

Eshaam Bhattad | 3/18/22

"No matter which line of debate it is, students will always use the low income as the a priori for all of their arguments. But once everything is said and done, after the prep has all been written, and the tournament has finished, they’ll close their thousand dollar MacBooks, move to their luxurious living rooms, watch Disney+ on their ninety-nine inch TV’s and go back to living their lavish lifestyles. This is what elitism looks like within debate. "

Speech & Debate Should Stay Online

Nicholas Ostheimer | 2/24/22

"From simple local tournaments to massive championships on the national circuit, including Harvard's annual tournament, speech and debate has shifted dramatically to a digital format. These tournaments have enjoyed widespread success and received constant criticism.."

Too "Emotional" To Debate: Why Girls Quit

Savannah Smalley | 12/11/24

"If my voice during debate is 'too aggressive' and 'too masculine,' but my feminine and dainty voice is 'annoying' and 'horrendous,' what should I do to appease you instead? The answer is clear. They'd rather us women stay silent, and leave debate to men."

Rethinking Impacting

Tanmay Rai | 11/27/24

"The issue is, not only do we  often lack the nuance in explaining these numbers and stories, but we lose the human,  personable aspect of them – arguably, their most important value. By then, passionate  argumentation begins to objectify and weaponize suffering and human experiences for nothing more than our own gain."

The Trouble With Tab Stalking

Rohan Dash | 11/13/24

"If you know who’s in your room, realize that they aren’t going to win simply for existing. No person is unbeatable, and that’s been proven time and time again. You too, have the capability to do well and even win national championships. The first step is realizing that."

The Limitations of a Negative Fiat

Rik Roy | 10/30/24

"All counterplans are, fundamentally, opportunity costs of the aff: what opportunity is the plan costing us? Proponents of negative fiat argue that alternate policies that don’t yet exist or may not be feasible are still important opportunities to consider."

Debate Is Missing Black Excellence—Here's How We Fix It

Gagnado Diedhiou | 10/16/24

"From one Black debater to another, know that your struggles and experiences don’t define who you are as a person or a debater. With so few of us in these spaces, it is imperative to continue to use your passion and perspective as your superpower in every round you step into."

Behind the Podium: Confronting Misogyny in Debate

Hannah Mullins | 10/2/24

"When our society values young girls in academic spaces, they are more incentivized to continue pursuing their passions. Speech and Debate is an activity loved by students all across the world, and every one of those students ought to be treated equally."

The Dilemma of Docket Group Chats

Ross White | 9/18/24

"While the members in your group chat are all aware of what will be debated, those who aren't as lucky to get an invite are left in the dark...This secret network could be the golden ticket to victory, but is it fair play or simply a betrayal of the spirit of debate?"

Unlocking Success: Why Independent Entries Matter

Katie Gorman | 9/4/24

"Whether it be for lack of a proper team or simply because a competitor desires to expand their horizons...One thing still shines true. We, as the speech and debate community, need independent entries."

The Prep Room, via the Fireground

Andrew Moffitt | 8/21/24

"The house that is our activity has been smoldering for a hot minute, and those who can prevent this smoke from becoming an inferno are either ill-equipped or unwilling to do so... Our activity today is at a crossroads, and the paths are simple: wax or wane. The real question for coaches and competitors is simple: What can we do to stop this fire from taking down the house we love?" 

The Impact of Pre-Set Recency on Congress

Adhiyanth Ram | 8/7/24

"Pre-set recency ensures opportunity through a predetermined list, and some get better resources than others...The entire function of speech and debate is to advocate for what we believe. When the voices of the very people who participate in this activity can’t be heard, we establish a deadly precedent. Change in Congress is necessary for the event to stay true to its roots."

A Plan To Save Rural Debate

Akshat Anand | 7/24/24

"Whether you come from schools with extensive debate programs or have achieved individual success, remember that the debate community exists because of the people that make it up. Let's uphold the community and support our fellow rural debaters."

De-Briefing Debate

Danielle Scantlin | 6/27/24

"In reality, crafting a good case goes far beyond what a brief says you should write, and being able to debate and analyze topics yourself may prove more valuable than anything you can get from a brief. However, creating cases that will win means having the experience, know-how, resources, and coaching that a lot of regions across the U.S. simply lack."

Stop Forgetting About the Judges

Lizi Bakradze | 6/5/24

"It is important to make sure that the people who determine whether you go home absolutely ecstatic or totally disappointed fully understand what position they are in and what exactly they have to do....So how about we stop forgetting about the judges, and instead build a stronger and more informed community, one judge at a time."

How We Can Fix the Digital E-Championship

Brandon Anderson | 5/22/24

"A good tournament isn’t good enough if it can be better, and a better tournament isn’t good enough if it can be adapted to best reach droves of students. The goal now must be for the Digital E-Championships, and other tournaments, to adapt many of the pieces of feedback mentioned previously, and to continue to be adaptive as a community so that we can consistently expand the opportunities given to students in the name of continued and constant equity."

Keeping Impromptu, Impromptu

Nex Bortnick | 5/8/24

"To the people such as myself who do impromptu as a main event it is frustrating to be beaten out by someone who did not compete fairly. Putting in the work to create something different each time is honest and fair to everyone, but we are competing in a limited prep event against people who have done prep!"

Apparently, Policy is Dying. Now What?

Katie Gorman | 4/24/24

 "Making our community more universally accessible isn’t going to be the easiest task, though. For a lot of debaters, including myself, the fact that policy requires a highly intense level of understanding actually draws me in. But for some reason, we take pride in how hard it is to learn policy without ever considering the impact of that."

A Plea for Creativity in Congress

Brandon Anderson | 4/3/24

"Risk is not rewarded like the NSDA Congressional Debate manual says it is... Risk is frequently penalized by judges, discouraged by coaches, and negatively highlighted by onlookers of the activity."

Debaters, Do Better.

Anonymous | 3/20/24

"These choices from our own systemic bias will bleed into how we as debaters view either side of the motion, how we choose characterization of stakeholders, and ultimately how we influence the people who listen to us. To speak and be heard is a powerful privilege, so please do use it with the utmost care."

You’ve Graduated, Now What? An Alumni Guide For Staying Involved

Brandon Anderson | 3/6/24

"Typically a few months after accepting their diploma former participants in speech and debate will ask, ‘what’s next?’ That is a question that this article seeks to explore for all three varying levels of commitment, and offers a path forward for those who don’t want their passion for the activity to become an ever-distant memory."

Spring(board) into Success: The NSDA Springboard Series

Brandon Anderson | 2/21/24

"It is crucial that we begin to bring light to the Springboard Scrimmage and give its creators their flowers for their advocacy for providing student opportunity. The question for all of us to consider is now: will we as a community use this opportunity to ‘springboard’ our peers forward?"

Our Blog: From Words to Actions

Jordyn Rubman | 2/7/24

"I believe that is something we all need in this world, to be shocked by uncomfortable truths but comforted by a solution, something we as individuals can do to make the speech and debate space better for someone else. That’s the importance of the Equality in Forensics blog."

How Burnout Causes Coaches to Quit Debate

Brandon Anderson | 1/10/24

"While coaches have spent years asking what they can do for us in the midst of their own personal stress and burnout, it is finally time for debaters to genuinely ask what we can do to support our coaches."

The Future of Congress

Jack Beery | 12/27/23

"Congress has become less and less accessible while growing even more boring, and that trend is only expected to continue if we as Congressional Debaters stand aside."

The Extemp Rule Change Won't Work. What Will?

Sasha Morel | 11/29/23

"Bad prep misinforms people. Disinformation hurts people. It’s time that as a community we step up to fight poor sourcing, one extemp speech at a time."

The Debater's Debt

AmandaLesly Miranda | 11/15/23

"It's not that we owe something to someone, or that we are owed a win or gavel, but it's the debt that we face for success."

The Adult in the Room: Teams’ Responsibility to Educate Judges

Jordyn Rubman | 10/18/23

"Judges are one of the key backbones of speech and debate, and so a strong judging community is a strong speech and debate community." 

Effects of Disclosure Theory on Small Schools

Ava Fiala | 10/4/23

"As a community, we should strive for a balance between progressive argumentation and topicality to make the space more inclusive for all debaters, no matter their background."

The Parliamentary Pro[cedure]

AmandaLesly Miranda | 9/20/23

"The POs of the world don’t want much; all we ask is to be acknowledged for what we do. To be respected instead of being known as the ones that don’t speak at a tournament."

Community: A Privilege Without a Price Tag

Nicholas Ostheimer | 9/6/23

"The single most important thing a debater can do, no matter their experience, background, or financial situation, is to make connections."

Applications Beyond Graduation

Valor Lekas | 8/23/23

"There's no more impressing an indefinite academic entity, no end goal for the scholastic hell you may have put yourself through these past four years. So what now?"

Fix TOC's Congress Bid System

Nicholas Ostheimer | 4/1/23

"Do you have a bid tournament within driving distance? If you need to take a plane or stay in a hotel room, will your school pay for it?"

Tournament Group Chats are Harmful for Congress

Nicholas Ostheimer | 1/25/23

"The people involved in this conversation are overwhelmingly active natcirc debaters, as others scramble to adapt to the tumultuous and uncertain discussion."

Building from the Ground Up

Luqmaan Thein | 12/24/22

"For small-school debaters, it can be incredibly hard to keep a speech and debate program afloat. To keep the torch alight, it is important to build a program that can outlast you."

Homogenization in Speech and Debate

Athena Tian | 10/28/22

"While there were once a variety of unique ways through which a competitor could convince their judges to give them favorable ranks and scores, the variation of techniques which competitors use in competition are decreasing steadily. "

The Disproportionate Power Held by Team Captains and Coaches

Athena Tian | 10/3/22

"The constant use of terminology such as “my novice” or “my middle schoolers” represents a deep and virtually inextinguishable tradition that is rooted within the speech and debate community."

The Impact of Attire in Speech And Debate

Athena Tian | 9/10/22

"For humans the formation of a first impression occurs rapidly, but the little information that a person needs to form an initial judgment can have long-lasting effects on other attitudes, expectations, and behaviors that a person demonstrates to another"

How Barriers to Equity Continue Online

Athena Tian | 8/21/22

"However, despite the relatively heightened accessibility of debate competitions, camps, and knowledge seminars in the post-COVID virtual setting, speech and debate as an activity remains elitist"

What's The Deal With Big Questions

Hannah Tuttle | 8/5/22

"Debate is supposed to encourage free thinking, questioning authority, fighting for what is fair and just, and analyzing situations before exercising judgment on them. Big Questions inherently defies these goals."

Thwarting Sexism in Debate

Lorelei Bailey | 7/22/22

"As a competitor, I have been exposed to jarring commentary about topics irrelevant to my skills as a debater. Thoughts about appearance, speaking habits, and manner can be the most influential when deciding on an inexperienced judge."

Discussing Mental Health

Hannah Tuttle | 7/1/22

"Considering mental health and how we interact with mentally ill people is a critical part of advocating for these groups. As debaters, we should all strive to do our best to be aware and conscious of our audiences and all groups of people."

Student Congress In Virtual Debate

Luqmaan Thein | 5/20/22

"But in an in-person tournament, more than half of those would have to look down to reference their legal pad at some point. In reality, a completely extemporaneous delivery for most debaters takes years to master, or if not, it takes practice, practice, and more practice."

Trix Are NOT For Kids

Liam Nyberg | 4/29/22

"Tricks are usually obviously wrong, no one genuinely thinks that we should evaluate the debate after the 1AC, so when a debater loses to a trick it is frustrating. Unfortunately, this isn't a good reason to dislike the style of argumentation"

Stop Debating 'Virtually'

Luqmaan Thein | 4/15/22

"Novices will gain nothing from debating ‘virtually’, which is to imply the exhaustive usage of word processors in debate. Rather, to become not only a successful and talented debater, but also a successful and talented person later on in life, it is important that they use legal pads instead."

The 'Amendment' Debater

Luqmaan Thein | 4/1/22

"Student Congress... seeks to develop dynamism and spontaneity while cultivating critical thinking abilities and nuanced viewpoints. This is why Congress is so unique, and this is also why the continued existence of amendments is so critical to the future of the event."

Why Can Lay Judges Be A Problem

Chetan Yenigalla | 3/11/22

"Who do we all hate the most? “Lay” judges! They show up everywhere these days in every single tournament. It wasn’t as bad before COVID struck and there were usually 1 or 2 lay judges per tournament. Now that the tournaments are online, every single team asks their parents to judge, and we the debaters feel their wrath."