One of the things they told me when I went off to college was that finals would be stressful. They were. What they didn’t tell me was that after you finish your first semester final exams, Christmas break can seem incredibly boring. As it happened, I made it home for break while my siblings were still in the thick of their own midterms. For almost two school weeks, I had little to do except sit around and keep myself occupied while by brother and sisters studied and prepared for their tests. Perhaps it was out of boredom, then, that I agreed to a rather unique arrangement one Thursday last week.
I know judges sometimes struggle with what to write on Speech and Debate ballots. It’s hard to express your feelings on paper. Over the years, I’ve seen thousands of ballots and they are usually a blessing (for the most part) and a source for students to refer back to. I mean, let’s be honest, some kids keep their ballots for years after competing. However, once in a while there are some comments that would be better not to write, and it usually involves a pre-disposed bias. So I challenge judges to really think before you write…
One of the things I love about the Lord is that He does not change. He’s the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He is constant, stable, reliable. He does not change like shifting shadows. And though He does not change, He is always doing something new.
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? ~ Isaiah 43:19
I know He is always doing new things in me. And part of the reason He’s doing new things in me is because I’m growing, maturing in Christ, and He knows I am ready for Him to do new things in me and through me.
As a club leader, perhaps you’ve been considering doing something different with your Apologetics coaching. Your program is growing and maturing and it’s time to try something new. Or maybe, you want to begin something new in your club… like getting some Apologetics coaching going for the first time! If so, there’s good news for you… you can do a new thing! Now is the time for it to spring up… do you not perceive it?
This article was submitted by an Alumni Debater (not pictured)
Debate was my high school sport. I participated in a high school homeschool Speech and Debate League, which values real-world skills over technical debate training, I developed the art of rhetoric, composition, and professional conduct. Yet the most important lesson I learned during that time was a lesson I learned from my brother.
Join the thousands of students who have come to Lasting Impact! for coaching. If you aren’t sure how to coach your own son or daughter, or simply just need some extra feedback, or perhaps you need motivation, direction, or a challenge- look no further. Today is the day to give online coaching a try!
Why schedule a Coaching Call? There are numerous reasons why people come to us.
Accountability. Sometimes meeting with a coach can keep you on track. Some students meet weekly, others as needed. We tailor your appointments with your needs.
Feedback. Who feels lost in the realm of feedback? What more can I tell them? Our coaches have been doing this a LONG time and the ideas don’t stop.
Success. If success is what you are looking for- look no further. I don’t think there is another team with more National Champions on staff or have coached more National Champions. However, that is not the only way, I measure success! I have students feel more comfortable, have courage standing up in front of a crowd , or simply ordering a meal at Subway. Success is what you want out of your journey. Whatever it is, we will help you get there!
Growth. There are so many opportunities to grow through Speech and Debate. Having a coach insures that you are making the most of it.
Fun. This is important!! Let’s be honest… a lot of times parents make their students participate in Speech and Debate. However, students will lack desire in a boring stuffy event. That’s when we come in. Speech and Debate is far from boring with us.
The list could go on and on, which is why today and today only… if you purchase a Coaching Call- you will get your next one HALF OFF! You can use the same coach, two different coaches, the same speech, one for speech, one for debate, one coaching call for one child, the other for the next. All you have to do, is schedule your appointment TODAY.
Be sure to check out our awesome team of coaches who can’t wait to join you on your Speech and Debate journey.
Some restrictions apply… both coaching sessions need to take place within six months of purchase.
I wanted the Lasting Impact! Community to know that my very dear friend, Karen Gill has created a fantastic resource for helping your elementary students learn communication skills. Like I said last week in my post about creating a Junior Program at Club, starting early will help give your kids priceless tools for their future….
The next generation of Speech and Debaters are often the younger siblings of the students in your Speech and Debate Club. Why not create a program that starts honing their skills earlier?
I have heard a number of concerns voiced by students and parents about the feasibility of arguing the affirmative side of the NCFCA’s 2019-2020 LD resolution. Granted, preventive war sounds like an ethically dubious activity on its face, and the resolution appears to make some ambitious claims. How can we reasonably make a blanket statement condoning what looks, from most angles, like blunt military aggression? If you don’t have the Lasting Impact! LD Guide, which has tons of ideas and an excellent resource, this article represents my attempt to put such concerns to rest and to show how this resolution can produce interesting and well-balanced debate rounds.
It’s November! It’s all about Friends-giving, giving thanks, and Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Small Business Saturday!? In honor of all of these, I present to you my first FLaSH SaLE!! $5 off all Ebooks!!! What does that include?
Lasting Impact! Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 – I use both these volumes to teach from almost every week. The articles are simple and easy to apply.
Devotional – Yes! Our newest product is even on sale. This is what Speech and Debate are all about. Pointing to Him!
The Ultimate Duo Handbook – A classic! A must have if you are doing a Duo – includes partnership worksheet and character worksheets!!
Games and Icebreakers – One of our most popular resources. The book is full of ideas to help students make the connection to target skills seen in both Speech and Debate.
Coaching Helps Worksheets/Handouts – This is a newer product. Worksheets to hand out or teach from. Students love having the information right at their fingertips. Example of handouts are: Memorization, Citations, Hooks, and one even for parents on Ballot Writing!
LD Guide – yes! You can even get $5 off on our LD Guide!
All of these products and descriptions can be found HERE. To purchase them with the $5 off discount, simply type in the coupon code – 5MEMBER
As a club leader and parent, these are the resources I use! I coach 5 Speech Clubs, as well as Debate. And I coach kids on almost a daily basis and these are the tools I use, these are my resources! I am thankful for the opportunity to share them with you, because remember, You Got This!
I got to judge a round of apologetics at a National Championship. I felt slightly unqualified because it was the semi-final round and I never came close to that competitive level as an apologetics speaker. But I took the ballot and enjoyed the round. I was impressed by everyone’s incredible delivery, conduct, organization, etc. And some even shared excellent content. But I did turn in those ballots wanting to share some words of encouragement with apologetics students. Specifically, these words: dig deeper! I noticed much shallow preparation as a competitor (in myself and others) and saw more signs of it as a judge. This is not to say that the speeches I saw were bad – far from it! But I wanted to see that these students had thought deeply about their topics and hear them share from that deep thought. I wanted to hear what God’s Word says about these topics (beyond Romans 3:23, Jeremiah 29:11, and John 3:16 that is). And I wanted to hear why speakers earnestly thought there was weight to the matters they addressed. I wanted them to dig deeper.
On September 6th, 1998 one of the greatest quarterbacks football has ever seen started his first game. Peyton Manning, the first pick in the 1998 draft out of Tennessee, lost in his first game as a rookie with the Indianapolis Colts. Unlike many of the star first round quarterbacks of today’s football, Peyton Manning was never known for his strength, speed, or agility. While he certainly possessed the physical characteristics one would expect from two-time Superbowl champion, that didn’t define his style. He wasn’t one to consistently roll outside the pocket to extend a play or hurtle a ball downfield on sheer talent alone. Peyton Manning’s study, awareness, and preparation allowed him to become the football legend he is now known for today. That notion of skill development and preparation extends so well into the world of competitive forensics. It is one of the many reasons competitive forensics ought to be considered a sport. And it would behoove competitors to think of debate as such.
This week starts Annie Roger’s Online Impromptu Club. There is still room left to join and gain the tools you need to feel better equipped to speak on your feet. Are you ready? 1 Peter 3:15 states, “But in your hearts honor Christ as Lord, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that is in you.” Are you ready to defend your faith? Are you ready to give an answer? Annie has been working with students for over three years. Here is what a couple of her students had to say…
“Annie’s guidance with Impromptu was extremely beneficial for me. She demonstrated how to quickly craft an effective thesis by helping me think about seemingly simple topics in a deep and impactful way. Through Annie’s insight I went from never breaking to competing at Nationals.” ~Nathanael R.
“Annie Rogers is one of the best coaches that I’ve ever had the privilege of working with. I had never imagined success in Impromptu, as it was a new event for me. Annie is professional, encouraging, and honest. She taught me many valuable lessons about Limited Preparation Speeches. She is an incredible strategist, in that she can analyze a situation and help her students overcome their obstacles. She not only helped me succeed in Impromptu, but I got to Nationals in Debate and Apologetics, as well. She is more than just a coach, she is a friend that I would recommend to anyone.” ~Zach D.
If you sign up for Online Impromptu, here are some of the things Annie will be covering…
Intro into Impromptu
Preparation
Structure
Delivery and Style
Growth
Adding Complexity
Being able to speak on your feet will be valuable for years to come. Sign up NOW.
Annie Rogers competed in speech and debate for seven years. In 2015, she earned the title of NCFCA National Impromptu Champion, her favorite category, and was in the top five debate teams in the nation for 2017. As a sophomore at Wheaton College in Illinois, Annie competes on Wheaton’s British Parliamentary debate team, and got 2nd place at the 2019 Pan Pacific Debate Championship. Annie has been coaching limited prep for three years, and loves watching her students tackle challenges and grow in skill and character.
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