5 Gotta-Have Debate Gadgets that Helps you Win 2024 Harvard In-person Debate Tournament
Debate is like any other activity: there are basics that you need in order to participate and there are “extras” you can acquire to boost your performance and overall experience. For sports, the “extras” could come from the uniform or shoes you wear, or the type of equipment that you use. In debate, our most important “extras” come in the form of technology and efficiency tools.
In order to participate in debate, there are things we have to use, like a computer, something to take notes with and on, and something to keep time. However, the devices or gadgets that we choose to use in the debate can serve to drastically improve or hinder our success, depending on the item and its intended purpose. In this article, I will cover five gadgets that can take your debate experience to the next level.
1. Stand up straight with laptop stands
Debate is a public speaking activity and some of the most important aspects of speaking are projection and clarity. In order for us to project our voices so that everyone can hear, we need to speak in a position that allows us to breathe easily. If you are sitting down, it doesn’t open your diaphragm as well, which can affect your rate of speech and voice quality. My best recommendation is to invest in a laptop stand. The goal of this “gadget” is to get you out of your seat and onto your feet.
For example, something like this. Or this. Both products work to lift your laptop off of your desk so that you aren’t holding it in your hands or bending forward to read. If you don’t like the price points of these examples, you can find a variety of other products that meet the same need.
2. Scroll on with an external computer mouse
Getting a mouse for your laptop can completely change the game. Modern debate is all on the laptop, especially if you are doing a format like Public Forum. If you are using a mousepad on a computer during your speech, or even during prep, it can severely slow down your progress as you try to finagle the pad to get it to move the file as quickly as your speaking rate. External mice, either Bluetooth or USB, can save the day with the scrolling wheel feature.
For some advice on which mice are optimal, consider checking out this article from the New York Times titled “The Best Wireless Mouse”. The main features you should be looking for are comfortability in your hand and the ease of the scroll wheel. When considering USB corded vs USB wireless vs Bluetooth, consider battery life, convenience, and connectivity:
- USB corded will never die during round, but the cord may be a hassle. You should not experience connectivity issues here.
- USB wireless will run off of a battery that you will have to change out every once in a while- if you aren’t careful, you could have a mouse die in-round. Make sure you carry extra batteries, just in case. These mice can be very convenient and hold the USB dongle inside of the mouse behind a back panel. Again, with USB, you should not experience connectivity issues.
- Bluetooth mice will connect to your computer using Bluetooth, which takes out the hassle of the cord and your mouse taking up a USB port. If your laptop doesn’t have USB ports, this is pretty much your main option. However, the battery life depends on batteries, just like the USB wireless. Connectivity largely depends on how much you trust your computer’s Bluetooth capabilities; some laptops may experience connectivity issues.
3. Take notes with ease with these flow pens
If you flow on your computer or with an electronic device, this section may not prove useful for your in round flowingGeneral Definition: A method for taking notes during a debate to accurately record the most important arguments and points of clash. Typically, speeches are flowed side-by-side to track how an argument develops over the course of a debate. Also referred to as a game board. Public Forum: see general definition. World Schools Debate: see general definition. British Parliamentary: see general More success. However, it can help you with quick note-taking in class, if you take notes with pen and paper.
When considering what makes a good flow pen, I typically look at two things: does the ink flow easily accommodate my swift-writing needs? And does the ink smear? If you are left-handed, that latter issue can be much more important. There are two really common brands you can use that I personally recommend:
- HI-TECPOINT 0.5MM are an excellent choice if you are looking for something with a fine point. This pen has an excellent flow of ink that dries quickly and avoids smearing. These are also referred to as “V5s”
- G2 Gel Pen 0.7 MM are a great choice if you are looking for something with a wider point and a smoother ink flow. These pens also dry quickly and cater to quick note-taking. These are generally referred to as “G2s”
If you are in Canada, you can use the links listed above to find these products. If you are in the US, you can find both types in most convenience and office supply stores.
4. Stay on time with physical timers
Although it is common for debaters to use their phone or an app for timing their speeches, I strongly encourage investing in a physical debate timer. There are several benefits to having a physical timer:
- If your phone or laptop dies, you still have access to your speech time.
- You can start your time for your speeches much quicker.
- You can save screen space on your computer.
- The judge will perceive you as being more professional and more prepared.
When considering which timer is best for you, make sure you analyze the functionality. You’re going to need a timer for speech time and prep timeGeneral Definition: Time alloted for debaters to prepare upcoming speeches. • Public Forum: In PF, debaters have 4 minutes of prep time over the course of the entire debate to use as needed. Typically, debaters will keep track of how much time they have used, although the judge may time debaters as well. • World Schools Debate: In WSD, students More. You will also need to be able to watch the time count down. There are three key things to keep in mind:
- Your timer should have minutes and seconds digitally displayed.
- Your timer should have the ability to count up and down.
I strongly recommend the NSDA Count Up or Down Timer. This timer is sold in the National Speech and Debate Association store and can be found with the provided hyperlink. This timer will satisfy all of your debate needs and has a very loud “beep”.
5. Get it all on the gameboard with this flow paper
Paper is paper, right? Wrong! A lot of people would argue that lined paper is the best method; I commonly see people using legal pads and notebook paper to flow competitive debates. I personally strongly discourage the use of lined paper for one main reason: it limits you. When you flow on lined paper, you are limiting the amount of text you can fit on a page and the organizational potential for your gameboard space. For more in depth discussion on best flowingGeneral Definition: A method for taking notes during a debate to accurately record the most important arguments and points of clash. Typically, speeches are flowed side-by-side to track how an argument develops over the course of a debate. Also referred to as a game board. Public Forum: see general definition. World Schools Debate: see general definition. British Parliamentary: see general More practices, check out my article on [INSERT FLOWINGGeneral Definition: A method for taking notes during a debate to accurately record the most important arguments and points of clash. Typically, speeches are flowed side-by-side to track how an argument develops over the course of a debate. Also referred to as a game board. Public Forum: see general definition. World Schools Debate: see general definition. British Parliamentary: see general More ARTICLE LINKGeneral Definition: The specific connection or relationship between one event and another. In debate, links establish causality between the resolution and its impacts. See also "Mechanism". • Public Forum: see general definition. • World Schools Debate: Not a common phrase in WSD, where "Mechanism" is used instead. • British Parliamentary: Not a common phrase in BP, where "Mechanism" is used instead. More HERE].
If you follow my advice on how to flow, then knowing what to flow on can be extremely beneficial to your gameboard strategyGeneral Definition: Decisions made in the debate to optimize your likelihood of winning. Strategy can include argument choice, time allocation, the balance of offense and defense, rate of speech, and questioning approaches. • Public Forum: see general definition. • World Schools Debate: In WSD, this is 20% of a judge's ballot. Strategy evaluates whether or not you are allocating time More. The most important thing about your paper is that it should be blank- you need an empty void so that you can construct your gameboard without hindrance. Here are three great types of paper to use:
- Copy paper: This is simple. Using regular letter-sized printer paper is the easiest option. There is no particular brand that is needed; just make sure that it isn’t glossy.
- Legal paper: This paper is a bit harder to find, but it is excellent for flowingGeneral Definition: A method for taking notes during a debate to accurately record the most important arguments and points of clash. Typically, speeches are flowed side-by-side to track how an argument develops over the course of a debate. Also referred to as a game board. Public Forum: see general definition. World Schools Debate: see general definition. British Parliamentary: see general More. If you follow my recommendation and flow in vertical columns, you will find that legal paper allows your columns to go on much longer without interruption than copy paper. This paper is about 4 inches longer than copy paper.
- Easel Paper: This may seem crazy, but if you have the space in the room, easel paper can give you an egregious amount of space on your gameboard. This paper makes more sense for longer formats, like Policy debate, but keeps you from segmenting your flows onto different sheets of paper.
Although some of the mentioned gadgets may not technically be “gadgets”, they are the bells and whistles of debate, the “extras”. If you want to spice up your debate experience and add some excitement to your in-round routines, consider picking up some of these awesome products before your next competition.
About VDA
Vancouver Debate Academy is an internationally recognized private institution that offers debate and public speaking training to students from Grade 4 to 12 in Canada and abroad. Our skill-focused program improves students’ public speaking, critical thinking, research, leadership, and teamwork skills and fosters intrinsic learning.