Category: Opinion

LD in NCFCA 2024-25 by: Drew Swanberg

Posted on by Heather Neumann


It’s that time of year again. The new resolution is here and people are already forming their opinions and for next year’s debate season. We already ran an Online LD Camp (GET THE RECORDING HERE FOR ONLY $25/members –https://lastingimpact.info/product/workshop22659/ ) and the Lasting Impact! LD Guide is about to be released NEXT WEEK!! As a coach, I have already taken a deeper look at the selected NCFCA Lincoln Douglas value debate resolution for 2024-2025 debate season.  Resolved: In combat, the use of automation should be valued above the use of Personnel. At first glance and without the context, it may not be clear whether this resolution begs ethical questions significant enough to debate. I would argue however, that there is practically an ocean of relevant moral philosophy to this highly relevant and deceptively nuanced resolution…

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Presenting Progressive Perspectives in a Conservative League by Eric Meinerding

Posted on by Heather Neumann

The homeschool speech and debate circuit is quite conservative. Duh. This comes as a surprise to no one. Most of the motivations for homeschooling in the first place come from conservative places, such as evangelical Christianity. Christian leagues like NCFCA and STOA encourage their students to glorify Christ through speech and debate. This is a really good thing. My life and faith found their roots because of the conservative traditions in forensics. That being said, there should be open doors for some progressive opinions as well. Not everything. But some. And here’s why.

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#1 Unrated Skill Learned in Speech and Debate By: Griffith Vertican

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Do you know what the most underrated skill gained from speech and debate is???

The skill is not one that likely jumps to the top of your mind. Yes, speech and debate are great for developing critical thinking, vocabulary, public speaking, advanced nonverbal, interpersonal communication, research, leadership, and problem-solving skills, however, there is one more – let’s call it skill nine – that is absolutely worth highlighting… [Insert drum roll here]… self-awareness.

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NCFCA 2024 TP (proposed) Resolution Analysis by: Honor Hoffmann

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Proposed team policy resolutions can be very hit-or-miss. Some years, the entire slate of options is highly promising (like in 2022, when NCFCA debaters could choose from tribal issues, federal prisoners, or housing concerns). Other years, the provided choices leave debaters wondering who exactly is in charge of proofing these suggestions (while increasing development assistance to Honduras, Guatemala, or El Salvador is an important topic, it doesn’t exactly lend itself well to breadth of research). 

Fortunately, this year’s NCFCA lineup is more the former than the latter. While each option has its pros and cons (we’ll get into those in a moment), each would be a perfectly reasonable and interesting topic to spend a season debating…

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Learn to Think Like Your Opponent: Why Debaters Thrive in the Real World by: Liliana Zylstra

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Could the skills learned in high school speech and debate be part of the solution to the culture’s ideological conflict and political division? I believe the answer is yes. Participating in debate is the best way to learn one crucial skill that is incredibly needed and often overlooked. Debate requires students to fairly evaluate views that they don’t hold…

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Using a Sourcebook as a Guide or Map in LD or TP Debate by: Richard Green

Posted on by Heather Neumann

How do we get there? 

A question often asked when we take our family trips,  typically proposed by our youngest of children.  “When are we leaving….how far away….are we stopping anywhere…how long?” All top the list of favorite questions to ask.   The root of the conversation is the core understanding of how.  The response is founded in the knowledge that someone has done the work to show us the path.  

 The map…

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Why Your Student Should Start with LD Debate by: Noah McKay

Posted on by Heather Neumann

The perennial debate between LD- and TP-firsters is unlikely to come to and end any time soon. Probably, you’ve already heard several of the considerations I am about to offer in defense of the LD-first position. But I am willing to bet you haven’t heard them all. My hope is that these arguments will make the decision easier for those of you who are on the fence. (And, of course, I hope you choose LD.)

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Stoa and NCFCA Lincoln Douglas Debate Resolution Breakdown with Noah McKay

Posted on by Heather Neumann

‘Tis the season to panic over the slate of new debate resolutions! Just kidding. If you are looking for an opinion… Noah McKay has got one, or a few!? Check out his comprehensive opinions on this years voting Lincoln Douglas resolutions for both Stoa and NCFCA…

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More Information for Debaters/Families to Think About for 2021 TP Resolutions from Economic Thinking

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Our friends over at EconomicThinking.org wanted to share some of their research on the proposed policy topics for 2021. These would be excellent for students to dig deeper, check out for themselves, and maybe even sneak in a debate. Economic principles and history will help students identify meaningful reforms…

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2021 LD Analysis from Coach Joe for NCFCA and Stoa

Posted on by Heather Neumann

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! National tournaments are just around the corner, Spring is in the air, and resolutions are out for next season! There’s a lot to be unpackaged in the new resolutions. Voting is open right now for both leagues and there is plenty to be discussed! Let’s cover some key observations for all 6 of the resolutions and provide a bit of analysis in order to supplement your vote…

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Opinion- You Tube – (Plus Vlog)

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Heather and Kristi tend to agree on most things, especially concerning Speech and Debate. However there is one thing they can have a friendly debate over... watching YouTube videos. Read their responses and watch the Vlog as they explore the question, "How do you feel about students using/watching YouTube videos for their speeches?"

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