CoachConnect Blog

The NHSDLC’s fall 2018 topic “Resolved: in the United States criminal justice system only people convicted of violent crimes should be sentenced to prison” examines the use of prison as a punishment for criminals, and whether it is appropriate for non-violent crimes. The United States has the...

At a debate tournament, debaters often have multiple periods of free time, usually during flights off each round. These long periods of free time between rounds are great opportunities to improve in order to be more successful during the next round. Here are two ways to get the most of out of...

Smart debaters tell their judge what needs to happen to win the round, and then spend the debate explaining why they have done it. Things that need to happen to win are called "victory conditions", or "burdens", and they are an important part of framework in a debate. Victory conditions give the...

Frameworks give the judge a way to compare competing arguments. If one team gives the judge several good arguments about the economy, and the other team presents several equally strong arguments about the environment, a judge has no way to evaluate which arguments are more important unless...

Debaters might find the topic for the Spring 2018 NHSDLC season difficult. However, debaters do not need to know detailed information about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to succeed at tournaments. The debate topic is mostly about whether China should play the role of broker in the conflict. ...

Debaters spend most of their time preparing for a debate tournament by researching and writing their cases. However, this type of preparation does not guarantee success in Public Forum rounds, where debaters will face a variety of challenges. Debaters should spend time practicing so they are...