Read and Research

The tournament is coming up fast, so make effective use of your time to read through all the case files you will use in your rounds, write 2AC blocks for possible 1NC arguments against the aff, and practice speed reading out loud. Practice reading your speeches in the 8 minute time frame so that your mind will have a sense of what that feels like. I know that in our limited class time we have not been able to give most of you time to practice full rounds, so you will have to practice on your own. Let me know if you have questions or need help over the break. You can also email Dillon from the Gmail.

Practice, Practice Practice!

Two things to work on this week:
1) Choose a 1AC from the Afghanistan, Iraq or Japan files. Read it and write an outline of a 1NC in response. Bring to class Tuesday. Elements you should have in your 1NC:
-topicality (an option)
-case arguments (directly oppose the 1AC advantages, one by one)
-disads (at least one, maybe two)

2) Practice reading your speech in front of a mirror, and time yourself. Give yourself 8 minutes. Highlight your cards so that you can read them all in the time allowed. Don't read too much of each card. Practice reading tags and cites clearly.

This week in Debate

Check the Gmail for research assignments. We are starting to build out our squad neg strats and to research the other countries in the resolution. Mr. Wiley will talk to us on Monday about North Korea. Be prepared to share information in a concise, organized manner with the squad when you are called upon. Check with the officers to get a country assignment.

Upcoming Graded Assignments

This week you will be graded on the following assignments:
1) Register your email address with the gmail contacts list (DUE WEDNESDAY)
2) Turn in contract (DUE ALREADY.. you are losing points now)
3) Register to "follow" the blog and Twitter (DUE WEDNESDAY)
4) Turn in typed cards, properly cut and tagged (DUE TUESDAY)
5) Mini ADV debate (on your assigned day)
6) Turn in travel permission form to UD office (DUE ALREADY)

Failure to complete any of these assignments on time will result in a zero for the assignment. If you are not in the class, you still need to complete the assignments to continue to be a member of the team.

Great job today!

You all worked hard today and proved that research and writing sessions can be filled with excitement, fun, artistic expression, and an awful lot of good food! I can't wait to do it again.

ADV Minis This Week

Don't get caught unprepared! Check the pairings for the advantage mini-debates to be held this week in class. If you are not sure about your topic, ask someone. The advantages are econ, prolif, war, and soft power. Each ADV file should include arguments and cards for: uniqueness, links, internal links, impacts, extensions, add-ons, and answers. If you are neg this week, your files should include non-unique cards, link turns, impact turns, aff won't solve, and stuff like that. (You can look the terms up in your handbook if you get confused.) Now is the perfect time to send Dillon an email if you need help! Of course, your friendly team officers are here to help, as well, so don't be afraid to ask. (Minis are 4min-4min-2min-2min with 2 minutes of cross-ex after the first two speeches.)

First Tournament: October 8-9

Our first tournament is October 8-9 at Edmond North High School. We will leave school after lunch on Friday and will return to school some time around 11:00pm or later Friday night. Teams who advance will meet to return to ENHS early Saturday morning for the out rounds. You must have a travel permission form on file with the school in order to travel with the debate team. Participating teams will be announced soon.

Two New Officers

Catherine White and Layne Turci have been named Operations Co-Captains, reflecting their tireless work in keeping the debate team on-track and organized in the planning of upcoming events. Jack Maxwell has been named Communications Co-Captain, reflecting his role in updating the blog and Facebook pages and in helping facilitate PR for the team.

Thanks also go to Andrew Clements for taking on the role of videographer. Thank you, Mr. Varela, for helping us get started on our video journal of the life and times of Casady debate.