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Introduction to Policy Debate

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This free online textbook is available to all. No log-in is required to view any of the chapters and sections.

Thanks to generous contributions from Bill Smelko, William Smelko, and Rebecca (Gray) Jordan, we have been able to radically expand the available content.

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More than native smarts and fearless verbal acumen, however, becoming a successful debater requires work, and a willingness to keep learning.  The essential tools required to be successful include the ability/willingness to:
 

► READ                                ► LISTEN                             ► UNDERSTAND             

► WRITE                              ► ORGANIZE                      ► SPEAK                

► REMEMBER                    ► MULTI-TASK                   ► THINK


Reading involves both the willingness to research subjects related to the debate topic before the season starts and throughout the year as well as the ability to read written materials aloud with fluency and clarity during competitions.

Listening skills encompass hearing and understanding the pre-tournament instruction that you will receive and the listening to your partner and your opponents that must be done in each round.  The best debaters are the best listeners.

Understanding requires critical thinking and comprehension of both the written and spoken word so that the advancement of arguments and positions are accomplished with consistency and a strategic sense of how individual arguments interact.

Writing is vital both to construct arguments, cases and briefs, and also to take notes, or “flow” the debate round and the arguments made in the round.

Organization and multi-tasking are essential to the presentation of understandable arguments so a judge can see the big picture of your arguments and so you are better able to listen, locate your files and prepare positions that represent a series of logical responses to the positions taken by your opponents.

Speaking is the essence of the game and both clarity of presentation and command of the audience will help you win debate rounds and procure high speaker points during the competitions.

A talent for multi-tasking and a good memory will serve you well as you continue to improve the quality of your arguments and the speed of your development of responsive arguments.

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