Research Topic List

Hi everyone,

Yesterday we assigned different topics for each group to do research on. Remember that this isn't a paper, but I want you to take notes on a variety of resources. I want to see that you used books, periodicals, and used credible sources online. I do not want to see just a random googling of the topic. Be prepared on Tuesday to share this information with the team, and you will also get to take notes on their topics.

Final wording of the 2009-2010 novice case area, updated today at 2pm:


5 Affirmative Case Areas:

1. Welfare reform -- substantially expand access to welfare, including eliminating some or all restrictions on TANF

2. Broadband Access -- expand Lifeline and Link-Up to include broadband

3. Medicaid for Immigrants -- eliminate immigration status requirements for Medicaid

4. Legal Services -- substantially increase funding and support for the Legal Services Corporation

5. Head Start -- substantially increase funding and support to Head Start programs

Tuesday we will hit the ground running. Earlier this week I posted the schedule, so remember what we'll be working on. I'm going to be busy making copies this weekend so that you will all have your evidence to practice with shortly. Please work with your partner to determine good days for practice debates. Returning Policy Debaters will help with novice debates, while LD'ers will be doing their own practice debates using older topics.

9/29 Tuesday @ BHS: Group topic discussion, present your assigned topic, learning the building blocks of an Aff case. LD'ers: Create a schedule for practice debates amongst selves; share notes from debate camp.
9/30 Wednesday @ SHS: draft aff case, practice in groups. Start neg lecture if time allows. LDers continue w/ practice debates.
10/1 Thursday @ WWU library: research aff case; collect on-case neg evidence

For week of 10/5: Remember everyone must attend the Tuesday/Wednesday practice in order to go to Kamiak.
10/6: Neg args/practice debates
10/7: Topicality/practice debates

Welcome To Our Blog

Hello Debaters and Other Interested Individuals,

We're into our second week of debate, and I'm impressed with the turn out at Sehome and Bellingham. If you're new to the team I encourage you to ask any questions you have and use other debaters as a resource. I'm sure many people feel overwhelmed at first, but I promise it will all make sense soon!

Here is the agenda for practices this week. Please note you are only required to come to two practices, but all practices are crucial to attend in the beginning as you learn more about the activity:

9/22 Tuesday @ BHS: Overview of debate structure, demo policy debate w/ Mitsu and Gordo
9/23 Wednesday @ SHS: Nominations for debate club officers, sign up for topic resource, demo Lincoln-Douglas debate w/ Nate and Julia
9/25 Friday @ WWU: Open time to research assigned topic

9/29 Tuesday @ BHS: Group topic discussion, present your assigned topic, resource sign-up
9/30 Wednesday @ SHS: Affirmative lecture, draft aff case
10/1 Thursday @ WWU library: research aff case

We're not that far away from our first tournament on 10/17, so please note we'll be putting in more hours than usual to get ready. Thanks team and keep up the enthusiasm!


P.S. This weekend Conner, Kylie, Kaitlin and I got to attend a mini debate camp at UW. We had some great presenters layout the foundation of policy debate for us. I hope we can bring more people next year. We had fun exploring campus (read: got lost) and meeting new beginning debaters. Below are some resources Jim Hanson, the Whitman debate director, is sharing with us:

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thank you for joining us. mike and anjali both spoke highly of the spirited group we had at the seminar.

all of the whitman national debate institute evidence is at:

http://www.whitman.edu/rhetoric/camp/briefs.htm

free west coast debate evidence and materials at:

https://fs12.formsite.com/hansonjb/wc-connection/secure_index.html

whitman high school tournament invitation:

http://www.whitman.edu/rhetoric/hstourn/000inviteintro.htm

northwest high school debate page:

http://www.whitman.edu/rhetoric/nw-hs-debate/index.htm

have a great year and feel free to email me with questions or whatevers.