NYU Learning Center

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

The three software applications you need to participate in debate are Dropbox, Verbatim and Microsoft Word.   Read the instructions below for how to acquire each one for FREE. 

The team uses a Dropbox system for cloud-based evidence storage. Click this website and follow the instructions to download Dropbox.  

For sorting and indexing evidence, the team uses a program called Verbatim which works with Mac and PC laptops to organize Microsoft Word files so you can view a documents contents without scrolling through hundreds of pages.  Click here to download Verbatim.   

99% of files generated in college policy debate are created in Microsoft Word.  However, Google Classroom is now the most common high school platform and underlies the NYU system so many of you may use Google docs and Adode PDFs for the majority of your documents.   

The cost of Microsoft Word may serve as a further disincentive.  GOOD NEWS! Registered members of NYUCEDA debate can visit www.office.com/teachers to receive a free copy of Microsoft Office 365 for Education. The service includes Office Online (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and OneNote), unlimited OneDrive storage, Yammer, and SharePoint sites.

These documents have been prepared by the Director to aid in your preparations for debate tournaments from tournament basics to advanced strategy.  Read them.  It will make you better.  

Video Resources

DEBATE BIBLE By Jon Bruschke

NOVICE PREPARATION CHECKLIST

HOW DEBATE WORKS (THE AFFIRMATIVE)

HOW TO DEBATE, (2AC FILES)

HOW DEBATE WORKS (THE NEGATIVE)

NOVICE DEBATE STARTER MANUAL

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

BLOCK PARTY 101

These videos represent a collection of the top 20 debate videos to provide you with the key elements for success across every aspect of the debate spectrum.  Some are as short as 8 minutes while others are close to an hour.     Ideally, if you watch them all, you will be exponentially better at debate than you were before.     Suggested Starting Points:  For Novices: 1, 2, 5, 7, 9  For JV:  5, 6, 8, 10, 11 For Open: 8, 10, 12, 18, 21

1. Why Debate/How Tournaments Work? 
   
2. Flowing Video​
3. Organizing and Using Evidence
   
4. The Art of Block Writing 
   
5. How to Win Aff Debates 
   
6. Rocking Out the 1AR 
   
7. Impact Calculus 
   
8. Five Tips for an Effective 2AR
   
9. How to Win Neg Debates 
   
10. Giving a Solid 1NR 
    
11. 5 Easy Steps for an Awesome 2NR 
    
12. The Art of Speaking Efficiently 
    
13. History of Debating in a Segregated US 
    
14. How to Prep a DA 
    
15. Cross Examination: Building Credibility 
    
16. Understanding Performance Debate 
    
17. Counterplan Basics 
    
18. How to Be Great 
    
19. Debating Politics 
    
20. Kritiking Debate
    
21. ​How to Beat Teams With Big Rep or Great Researchers 
22. Argumentation and Debate Podcast: The Kritik Part 1-What is a Kritik?
    
23. Argumentation and Debate Podcast: The Kritik Part 2-Types of Kritiks/Linking to the Aff
    
24. Argumentation and Debate: The Kritik Part 3-Answering the Kritik
    
25. Argumentation and Debate: The Disadvantage
    
26. ​Argumentation and Debate: The Counterplan

TRAINING RESOURCES

TOPIC-SPECIFIC TRAINING

​In addition to learning about the generalities,  it is important to learn about the topic of the year. Specific topic knowledge can help elevate you over more experienced debaters.  You should begin with the topic paper.  For the 2021-22 debate season, the Antitrust Topic Area paper is located here