The bible for debaters and their coaches. Nearly every high school and college in America has a debate club and/or a debate team. There are hundreds of competitions at the county and state level, culminating in heated national competitions. Yet, at many high schools and colleges, coaches are drawn from the history or English departments with little or no experience in the highly structured procedures of this popular discipline. And while competitive debate has been growing each year as a prime academic activity, there have been no popular handbooks to help students and coaches prepare for contests effectively and efficiently. Practical and authoritative, this guide includes not only tips and guidelines for effective preparation and delivery, but full-length, actual transcripts of successful competitions in each format. Endorsed by the two national governing bodies for competitive debate-the National Federation of State High School Associations and the National Forensic League-and priced for the budget-conscious student and high school teacher alike, Competitive Debate: The Official Guide is set to become the instructional "bible" for tens of thousands of present and future debaters and their coaches. Inside, Dr. Richard Edwards-award winning debate coach, professor, former competitive debate judge, and author-leads readers through the three popular formats of competitive debate: * Policy Debate * Lincoln-Douglas Debate * Public Forum Debate

A pathway to community, growth, and change This collection of inclusive essays explores the role of debate in understanding and critiquing injustice and inequality. Edited by Shawn F. Briscoe, these essays closely examine multiple approaches to debate, considering their respective merits and controversies. This detailed compilation analyzes how debate methodologies are useful in everyday life and whether certain approaches have any value at all. Briscoe provides an in-depth look into the varying styles of debate and contributes to a greater understanding of argument theory by discussing three stylistic approaches: audience-centered, technical/progressive, and nontraditional/performative. The book demonstrates that all three approaches offer students opportunity to engage in a socioemotional learning space, a discipline that prepares students for undergraduate and graduate work, a study that prepares participants for future careers, and a field that investigates current controversies and how to tackle them. Briscoe offers compelling narratives from BIPOC, LGBTQIA, and women authors that explore the personal impact of debate on social equality within this academic discipline, our educational system, and society. The diversity in gender and race of the contributing authors allows for a multitude of perspectives on the complex styles, benefits, and issues discussed in Transcending the Game. Briscoe peels back the mystery that shrouds the benefits of academic, competitive debate from outsiders and insiders alike. A myriad of personal narratives tell stories about the role of debate in their lives; challenge the unproductive discourse in debate, education, and society; and offer diverse insight into why we debate.