Debate Resources
On this page, you will find our recommendations for discussions on the topic, theory, videos and how-to's.
Additionally, the Resolution portion of these links will take you to general information on this year's Stoa resolution.
Stoa Team Policy 2018-19 Resolution
Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially reform its foreign aid.
For Stoa Team Policy Debate Rules, view Team Policy Ballot, or view a Judge's Orientation, click here to visit the Stoa resources page.
For Discussion
HSD is a great place for debaters to virtually stretch their ideas, check out informal tournament results, network with debaters and coaches across the country, and get feedback on cases.
While not necessarily team policy in nature, these are some of the sharpest minds on the collegiate circuit and they happily offer their thoughts and opinions for you to peruse.
A one-stop shop for speaking tips, strategy discussions, and challenging thoughts on the motives and methods of your delivery. Definitely a must read!
Resolution
US Foreign Assistance Data Site
One percent of the federal budget supports the U.S. government's foreign assistance investments to further America's foreign policy interests. U.S. foreign assistance helps expand free markets, combat extremism, ensure stable democracies, and address the root causes of poverty, among other things, while simultaneously fostering global good will.
Get your overview here - we'll be sure to provide a few more generic resources once the fall semester begins.
Stoa provides access to LexisNexis for registered members. Click the link above for more information.
Spring into the Year
A great beginner start to becoming more familiar with the resolution! Over the years the Blue Book has been a popular sourcebook and has been indispensable for debaters who want to know what they're most likely to see at their first tournament. We highly recommend.
These authors are among the nations' best! Their goal is to provide debaters with a deeper, more thorough understanding of the topic by using resources that rely more heavily on expert qualifications. Definitely a must-have for any serious competitor.
This is a text we recommend for every debate team for understanding the function and methods of beginning debate.
Short List of Leagues
Networking? Moving? Feel like exploring the look and feel of something different? Check out these sites!
Stoa - This is the league our club competes in. On this site, you'll find rules, expectations, new happenings in the league, and updates for the National Invitational Tournament of Champions (NITOC).
Stoa South - our go-to spot for what's happening in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, and the rest of those southern states. Also, Stoa South provides a list of clubs and a place to network for the southern states.
NCFCA - Founded in 2001, the National Christian Forensics and Communications Association is the oldest homeschool forensics league in the country.
NFL - The National Forensics League is home to the public education debate competitors. Their values and standards, while not necessarily conducive to conserversational competition, are still a fascinating challenge to master.
In Theory
While less official, and certainly more opinionated, these provide excellent spring-boards for exploring theory a bit more in depth.
The 3NR - NFL/NDCA - http://www.the3nr.com/
9 Minute Constructive - Joseph Samelson (NCFCA/Stoa) - http://samelson.wordpress.com/
COGblog - NCFCA/Stoa - http://cogdebate.wordpress.com/
Ethos Debate Blog - NCFCA/Stoa - http://www.ethosdebate.com/blog
Firewyer - Frank Wyer (NCFCA/Stoa) - http://firewyer.blogspot.com/
Global Debate - Dr. Alfred Snider - http://www.globaldebateblog.blogspot.com/
Impact - Joseph Clarkson (NCFCA/Stoa) - http://jibenow.com/impact/
An insight into debate - Joseph Clarkson (NCFCA/Stoa) - http://jibenow.com/clarksondebate/
Speakin Beacon - Dr. Doyle Srader - http://speakinbeacon.blogspot.com/