I remember the first debate tournament I ever attended. It was fall, and the air in the hallways of  Mount Allison University was dense with tension and anticipation. There was a tactile energy to  it all: the feel of the hand-me-down suit jacket I’d gotten from my older sister, too …

It’s easy to trace the arc of competitive debate if you know where to look. Begin with Athens. Begin with the men, their chins raised, their hands gesturing outward as if the weight of the world were in their arguments. It might as well have been. Athens was where words …

Debates serve as a mechanism for challenging the status quo. Debate stands as a dynamic and influential tool in the realm of social advocacy, playing a pivotal role in amplifying voices and driving positive change. This structured form of discourse provides a platform for individuals to express their opinions on …

Have you ever wondered what life would be like if you were someone else? Or what it would be like to live somewhere else? How would you see the world? Would you have the same opinions? The same beliefs? Though our world is such a diverse and vast place, some …

Informally, I first started debating when I began arguing with my parents over bedtime at the age  of seven. More formally, I began in junior high school, and it's been a part of my life ever since.  What started as a way to stretch the boundaries of my curfew became …

The past few years have seen a massive boom in artificial intelligence technology, and with it, the use of  ChatGPT as a tool for crafting debate speeches. And, indeed, the allure of employing AI tools like  ChatGPT for constructing arguments is undeniable. They offer a seemingly effortless pathway to  generating …

Despite what popular media will tell, you debates are about more than just facts and logic. Sure, having a strong argument with solid evidence is key, but to truly sway the audience, you need to tap into their emotions. That's where pathos comes in— the ability to evoke feelings and …

Summer can be a frustrating time for high school debaters. Tournaments are scarce and classes are out of session, leaving you with the nagging feeling that your skills might be slipping. But fear not! Here are some tips to stay sharp and maintain your debate practice rhythm over the summer …

So, you want to dominate your next debate competition? While researching facts and crafting strong  arguments is crucial, successful debaters also hone their delivery and thinking skills. The good news? You  can level up your game from the comfort of your own home with these 5 solo debate drills:  Shadow …

Competitive debate is an intellectual sport that perfectly embodies the principles of deliberate practice, making it an ideal field for rapid skill development. Anders Ericsson defines deliberate practice as a structured and focused method of skill enhancement characterised by being goal-oriented, having expert instruction, and immediate feedback. Debate also fits …

Anders Ericsson, a Swedish psychologist born in 1947, revolutionized our understanding of human expertise. His research showed that deliberate practice, rather than innate talent, is key to achieving high performance. In his influential 1993 paper, The Role of Deliberate Practice in the Acquisition of Expert Performance, Ericsson argued that what …

As the Year of the Dragon rolls in, the VDA team is happy to reflect upon a successful previous year – but also anticipate a prosperous new year. But as we gear up for this new zodiac year, what makes the year of the dragon so incredibly special? Represented by …