What’s the point of asking your judge what they want to see in the round? There isn’t one, if you’re not going to act on it. One of the biggest mistakes debaters make is misunderstanding what it means when a judge says they want you to focus on impacting. Most debaters think that means just making it really clear why you should win that particular argument. Some debaters will take it a step further and interpret that statement to mean explaining why that argument wins the round. However, very few debaters understand the implicit request in that phrase. We often forget there should be some guiding idea or principle behind every debate case. Judges want to hear not just why you win an argument, or why that argument wins you the round, but why that argument matters beyond the context of high school speech and debate. Continue to read THREE levels of layered impact…
The competitive season is about officially to be in full swing—and whether you’re still searching for the right case, considering a strategic switch, or preparing for the arguments you know are coming, we’ve got exactly what you need.
Today, we’re excited to unveil the Lasting Impact Team Policy Mid-Season Release, a powerful new resource designed to equip debaters with fresh, relevant, and high-quality material right when they need it most.
What makes one speaker unforgettable while another is easily forgotten? What turns a simple argument into a persuasive force that moves judges, stirs emotions, and changes minds? What makes you want to listen, tune out the rest of the world? If you have ever heard my friend, owner/founder of IEW, Andrew Pudewa… there is a word that comes to mind. He’s a fabulous speaker!
The answer is one powerful word: compelling. In speech and debate, some speakers are clear. Others are confident. A few are even memorable. But the ones who win rounds, move audiences, and leave a lasting impact? Those speakers are compelling.
Almost everyone I have talked to supports and likes the upcoming NCFCA Team Policy resolution, which addresses reforming Congress. It is because of this overwhelming affirmation, however, I began to realize there may be a slight problem: judge bias. This became exceptionally clear when I started writing a case that tackled term limits. While writing this case, I found a statistic stating that 83 percent of the population supports term limits! This made me realize the vast majority of judges are going enter the round with bias in favor of the Affirmative team. Think about it for a moment… How many people have you spoken with do not think Congress needs to be reformed—in at least one way or another? My guess is most everyone will agree Congress is in need of change. So, what can we do about it? In this article, we are going to examine two primary forms of judge bias and the strategies that play into these biases, we are going to talk about how to counter these biases, and finally, I am going to invite you to join Ethan Tong and I July 31-August 1 for the Lasting Impact Online Team Policy Debate Camp, where we will tackle this issue and so many more! If you haven’t signed up, please plan on doing so through the Lasting Impact website here… or keep reading Roman’s opinion below….
Our virtual LD Camp starts TOMORROW! It’s going from a two day camp to one! This means less time online for you… but still all of the AMAZING content! Sessions will include… Argumentation Value theory Writing a compelling case Research in LD Elements of effective speaking Flowing Going Neg …and more!
Plus, we have added an even BIGGER BONUS!! If you sign up, you will automatically be invited to our Fall Online Apologetics Club FOR FREE! That’s right, no need to register… you will be welcome to join our Lasting Impact! Apol Club. We are so excited to offer this! Tell your friends! Remember, all camps and clubs/classes are recorded. Sign up for Online LD Camp (and Apol) HERE – https://lastingimpact.info/product/camp23889/
As a coach, I’ve seen countless students walk into a Speech and Debate Camp a little nervous, unsure of what to expect. But by the end of the camp, they’ve transformed—equipped with new skills, fresh strategies, and the confidence to tackle their next competition head-on. If you’re a student considering whether to attend a Speech and Debate Camp – online or in-person or a parent wondering if it’s worth the investment, the answer is a resounding YES! I have countless of reasons why… but here’s just two reasons why: (and remember- we have TWO awesome online debate camps coming up… check them out HERE – https://lastingimpact.info/shop/ )
Are you ready to begin your 2025-2026 speech and debate season? We are too! In fact, we have one camp under our belt and resources busting at the seams! Here is just a short run down of how you can use Lasting Impact! as the number one resource in Speech and Debate this summer and beyond!
Coaching – Have you seen our line up of qualified coaches? Do you want to get a jump start on your season? Schedule a Mental Prep Session. Coaching isn’t just for students either! Did you know we help create syllabus’ for clubs, meet with parents, and coach specific tracks for clubs? Check out COACHING here.
Camps – Like I said we are one camp down, and about a dozen more to go! Lasting Impact! Coaches are traveling nation-wide again to help inspire students (and parents) on the power of communication! Talk to Heather (heather@lastingimpact.info) on more information on hiring a Lasting Impact! Coach. We even offer Online Camps this summer (and they will be recorded)! Moot, TP, LD, and Jump Start Speech… what more could you ask for!?
Speech and Debate Materials – We have AMAZING products! If you haven’t been to the SHOP in a while… go there NOW!
Sourcebooks – Our Debate Guidebooks and Sourcebooks are the BEST! We spend hundreds of hours putting together a product you will want to dig into! And did you know, we created a Summer Prep TP Source just for our NCFCA friends! Great for easy early research or camp!
Don’t forget to sign up for Fall 2025 Clubs/Classes! More will be added this summer… but be sure to check out some of our standards- Online LD, Speech 101, Speech 102, Interpretation Club, Online Apol, Extemporaneous Roundtable and more!
Lasting Impact! is gearing up for the best summer and season ever! We hope you join us!
Lasting Impact! is pleased to announce the early release of two cases for the 2025 debate summer camp season. In the past, we have released a source book near the beginning of August. This year will be no exception, but in addition to this traditional release, we also want to help support your summer research and camps by releasing two high-quality cases early. We will be selling one case for $20 or both early releases for $30 per team. The cases include a 1AC, an AFF backup, and a NEG brief. The two cases are: “Pass the TRUST Act,” which deals with insider trading, and “Pass Congressional Term Limits,” which advocates for term limits on U.S. Representatives and Senators. We have close to 100 pages of research already done for you!!
This summer release is sure to benefit both students and leaders…
• Students: Get a head start diving into the resolution now! This is a fantastic starting point! This source has almost 100 pages ready for you to dive in! Students who are eager to begin researching the topic are going to love these cases, as they explore two topics likely to get a lot of traction this coming season. Students can begin with the case provided, brainstorm arguments, and begin researching additional AFF and NEG support. And just in case you are already going through withdrawal, grab a group of friends over the summer and get in a couple of practice rounds before the fall semester begins. These cases are sure to provide a good starting place for the cases you will run into next season.
• Clubs: Clubs that are looking to understand the resolution better will appreciate the opportunity to dive into two topics sure to offer research opportunities and logical discussions. These cases will also allow for clubs to host summer tournaments or rounds with good, balanced cases that students will be able to debate on both sides. These are shareable… look at payment structure below.
• Camps: These cases are great examples to pair with your camp curriculum as they provide a hands-on example of the stock issues and real-life examples of topics likely to be explored in the coming season. This release is designed to pair well with NCFCA or other curriculum, providing real-life examples to which the students can apply debate theory. These cases are a strong start and could be debated in camp as is. They are not bulletproof, though, which also offers students the opportunity to learn how to research and refine cases to their own preferences, allowing them to be creative and learn the skills of debate!
Hello, NCFCA Debaters, Coaches, and Clubs! Lasting Impact! is eager to announce the release of TWO cases for the 2025 debate summer camp season. We are excited for the upcoming NCFCA season, which will focus on Congressional reforms, and our coaches have been hard at work researching and crafting the quality Lasting Impact! cases you have come to know and love (these may just be some of our best yet)!
In the past, we have released a source book near the beginning of August. This year will be no exception, but in addition to this traditional release, we also want to help support your summer research and camps by releasing two high-quality cases early. We will be selling one case for $20 or both early releases for $30 per team. The cases include a 1AC, an AFF backup, and a NEG brief. The two cases are: “Pass the TRUST Act,” which deals with insider trading, and “Pass Congressional Term Limits,” which advocates for term limits on U.S. Representatives and Senators. We will be using these sample cases in our own Summer Debate Camps!! Speaking of… Looking to dive into a Summer Speech or Debate Camp? Sign up NOW with some of the best speech and debate coaching and materials! Our Online Camps will be recorded! If you are still looking to host a camp… check with Heather to see if a coach can come to you Heather@lastingimpact.info, OR we would encourage you to stop by the Lasting Impact booth at the NCFCA National Championship in Minnesota! We will be on campus and look forward to meeting you! If you would like to see a preview of the NCFCA TP Camp Cases, or our other amazing products or materials – come to our booth (and meet our llama)!! We will have copies of the cases and books available for preview. And don’t forget the SALE going on now… (see previous post for details). As always, we love coming alongside your speech and debate journey!
We apologize for the delay… but good things come to those who wait! This Team Policy Sourcebook was not just pulled together! In fact, our editors and writers put a great deal of thought and detail into this AMAZING resource! The TP Sourcebook is a compilation of cases and practical reference materials, intended as a “starter pack” to help students launch the season quickly and easily. And we created it for TWO leagues- ASDA and NCFCA (if you compete in both, you don’t need to purchase both). The TP Sourcebook provides important foundational information about the resolution and the key concepts involved, reference information about the countries and agencies covered under the resolution, and a set of cases to help students to begin debating right away. Not only do we write our resources for students, we write them with parents and coaches in mind.
2024-25 TP Sourcebook contents include…
– A resolutional analysis brief
– Six original affirmative cases (1AC’s)
– Six corresponding affirmative backup briefs
– Six corresponding negative briefs
– Six country-specific fact sheets
– A strategy article on “The Debate Continuum”
The 27-page “Resolutional Analysis” provides a thorough introduction to the resolution and a reference handbook with evidence cards regarding the terms and agencies covered under the resolution. The cases in this year’s sourcebook cover a variety of topics related to US policy, including immigration, foreign aid, tariffs & imports, economic development, global stability and strategies for fighting corruption in Central America.
Sourcebook contents are provided in an electronic folder with separate files for each brief, so students can print the sourcebook sections individually, or in their entirety.
Fair Use Agreement
Students may download the sourcebook in either a PDF, or DOC (Microsoft Word) version, or both. By downloading the TP Sourcebook, students agree to utilize the materials for their own personal use. They are allowed to share the sourcebook with their partner, but not with other students, unless a student has purchased (but perhaps not printed) the sourcebook for themselves. Students may use the cases and briefs as written, but they also may choose to “personalize” them by adding and adapting the materials with their own ideas and information.
“The United States Federal Government should significantly reform its foreign policy toward one or more of the following Central American countries: Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.” This year’s NCFCA and ASDA TP resolution asks us to learn about some of our neighbors, who are just a few countries south. Given the number of countries covered under the resolution, it opens the door to a wide range of policies. International policy resolutions are distinct from domestic policy resolutions in that they offer debaters a greater challenge and a good opportunity to be creative. Some of my best years debating in the league were when I was challenged by an international policy resolution. With a new debate year right around the corner, it’s about that time in the summer when most people (except the most studious debaters who started researching when the resolution was released) start to think about the topic for the upcoming season. You may be asking, “How do I tackle this year’s resolution, and where do I start?” I hope to provide a brief orientation to this year’s topic and pique your interest by examining three broad issues related to the resolution: economics, national security, and global stability. Continuing reading below… or sign up for Lasting Impact!’s Online TP Camp (non league specific)! It starts next week. Also- our TP Sourcebook is COMING SOON!
Yes, we know your National Championship might have just ended… but we can’t wait to jump back in again! Join our team – Ethan Tong, Nathanael Kolssak, and Drew Swanberg, as they break down these events, as well as dig deeper for the more experienced competitor. Parents or Club Leaders are welcome to join us, as well! If you can’t make it to a in person debate camp this summer… this is where you want to be! Sign up NOW! https://lastingimpact.info/product-category/online-camps/
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