Wondering whom to cite?
Choosing who to cite in debate is a challenging feat. Not only do you have to evaluate whether or not the statement you've chosen agrees...
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Helmsmen Institute
Apr 23, 20226 min read
Stoa 2022-2023 Team Policy Resolution Analysis
It is once again time to select the new resolution for the upcoming debate season! Some of you may already have your favorite resolution...
772 views0 comments
Austin Pistor
Apr 13, 20223 min read
Fighting Injustice in Ukraine
A huge need has arisen amid the humanitarian efforts on the border of Ukraine and Poland that many people may not be aware of. In...
203 views0 comments
David Vasquez
Apr 14, 20215 min read
Stoa 2021-2022 Team Policy Spring Voting Guide
The 2021-2022 Stoa Team Policy resolutions are officially out the vote is open! With that being said, we wanted to help you out if you...
558 views0 comments
Helmsmen Institute
Mar 23, 201911 min read
Lamp Shading
The reality of debate is that some positions you will be asked to defend are unpopular. Many Parli resolutions are constructed around...
799 views0 comments
Rachel Cochrane
Oct 12, 20184 min read
Finding Your Message
Have you ever gotten half-way through the competition season and felt exhausted, emotionally drained, and tired of doing the same routine...
119 views0 comments
Grant Smith
Sep 20, 20183 min read
Defeating Procrastination
It’s still early in the season, and you may be thinking that you can wait a couple more weeks on that speech or case. But I’m sure you...
146 views0 comments
Rebekah Vehrs
Sep 3, 20184 min read
Handling a Tough Cross-x
Cross-examination is the only direct interaction between debaters in a round, and as such can sometimes become heated. Cross-X can be the...
173 views0 comments
Tom Sprimont
Aug 20, 20183 min read
How Historical Knowledge Affects Debate
Nescire autem quid ante quam natus sis acciderit, id est semper esse puerum. Quid enim est aetas hominis, nisi ea memoria rerum veterum...
111 views0 comments
amanda.ozaki
Aug 17, 20183 min read
5 Ways to Win Rounds Before They Begin
We’ve all experienced debate rounds where we feel like we’re losing before the timer even starts. Maybe it’s because we feel unprepared...
349 views0 comments
DeEtte Sprimont
Aug 13, 20182 min read
Comfort in Loss
Grief and loss touches the life of nearly every person, whether it is a death of a loved one, a fire that destroys a home, the...
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Maggie (Topper) Amos
Aug 7, 20183 min read
How To Ensure You Stand Out
I remember walking onto the beautiful campus of Point Loma Nazarene University for my first tournament. Hordes of students were scurrying...
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Tom Sprimont
Jul 31, 20183 min read
How Fathers Can Help Their Young Orators
… no one can be called a perfect orator unless he be an expert debater — Quintilian Institutio Oratoria VI.4.3 So, your offspring has...
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Helmsmen Institute
Jul 12, 20182 min read
Why We Debate (By: Konrad Hack)
Are you wondering whether or not you (or your child) should participate in speech and debate competition (called forensics competition)?...
116 views0 comments
Josiah Popp
Jul 4, 20186 min read
Three Basic (But Miraculous) Things the U.S. Military Makes Possible
Every single day ought to be treated like the Fourth of July. Not simply because the timeless ideals of the American founding represent...
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Meghan Gleeson
Jun 26, 20183 min read
The Character of Critical Thinking
Before debate and speech, critical thinking was only a phrase used to represent my skills on my resume when applying for jobs. Then,...
62 views0 comments
DeEtte Sprimont
Jun 21, 20183 min read
Better Together: Mentoring at the Helm
Can you think of a person who had a positive influence on your young life? Many successful adults report that, in addition to their...
71 views0 comments
kaitlyngleeson
Jun 14, 20183 min read
The Helmsmen Institute: The Student's Army
What is the difference between the two teams in a final round? What is the determining factor that makes one side lose and the other...
74 views2 comments
Tom Sprimont
Jun 11, 20185 min read
The Value of the Socratic Method
Do you generally prefer to expound in a long uninterrupted speech of your own whatever you wish to explain to anyone, or do you prefer...
691 views0 comments
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