The learning curve for debate is very steep. Luckily, for those looking to reach the top, there are many great resources available online to help one learn. This list is by no means exhaustive, but it contains some of UW Debate’s favourites and should get you started down the rabbit hole. Remember to have fun along the way!
Improvement Guides
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Trolley Problem: How to get better at debating by Shengwu Li, some very important higher-order thoughts on how to approach improving at debate
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How to Break at an International: an 8-step guide by Joe Mayes
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How to Break at an International (and break barriers): Women’s Edition by the EUDC Training Centre
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Training for Competition in British Parliamentary Debate by Sterling Higa. This one largely shaped my (Alex Zhu’s) perspective on improvement.
General Pages
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Ananya Bose’s non comprehensive guide to being cracked at Debate by Ananya Bose
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Toronto Debate Academy Resources, specifically the Intermediate Guide to Debate and Guide Book: International Relations
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The WUDC Debating and Judging Manual, the rulebook for BP debating
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Summer Workshop by Ryan Lafferty, 9 week program with recorded lessons
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Open BP Debate Resources, watch Bo Seo’s WUDC 2016 Finals-winning speech
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CUSID Debaters Masterfile v.1.0 by CUSID
Technique
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WUDC Prep – 15 minutes can be a long time by Alfred Snider
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‘Advanced’ Strategy in BP Debating by Dylan McCarthy
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Strategic Vision and Execution by Alex Zhu
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Framing and Characterization by Tin Puljic
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Delivering and Impacting with Tin Puljić
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Principled Arguments in BP Debating by Dylan McCarthy
Specific Positions
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Winning in OG Like an OG by Matt Caito, SUNDO Workshop
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BP: DPM/DLO by Daniel Maier-Gant
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Extension Speeches by Tin Puljić
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Picking and selling your extension with Teck Wei Tan
Spec
- Vietnam WUDC Matter File by Ryan Lafferty, absolute legend
Miscellaneous
- Empowering University Debate Clubs co-funded by the European Union