Strategic Debate: Reason, Argumentation and Strategy for Winning Policy Debates

The key to winning debates isn't found in boxes and boxes of evidence, a "flawless" case, or being lucky enough to win the judge's favor. The key to winning is in strategy, which is exactly what this book covers in detail. Within these pages, you will learn how to:

* Create affirmative cases that are tightly sealed from flaws
* Develop negative strategies that attack the best cases
* Formulate cross-examination questions that cripple opponents
* Answer cross-examination questions to turn judges to your favor
* Leverage the rules of academic debate to your advantage
* Gather evidence that builds, supports and defends your arguments

The sound advice and proven tactics in Strategic Debate is certain to provide the needed tools for building a champion debater. In the spirit of Training Minds Ministry, Strategic Debate provides the apparatus that will "train the mind for action" for debate rounds as well as the world.

Vance Trefethen was a high school policy debater from 1979-1982 in National Forensic League debate. Since then, he has been active in judging and coaching both NFL and home-school debaters, concentrating on NCFCA debate since 2001. Vance co-authors "The Blue Book" debate briefs, writes the Midseason Supplement in the middle of every year, and hosts annual debate camps. Known as "Coach Vance," he has become a respected leader in NCFCA debate. Vance and his wife, Bridget, live in North Carolina.