The 3NR Podcast

The third season of the 3NR Podcast gets off to a belated start with a special guest edition featuring James Herndon (of Emory University) and Whit Whitmore (of the University of Michigan) alongside Scott Phillips. Topics covered include international fiat, impact turning new block impacts after link turning in the 2AC, and research practices/qualifications. The Contemporary Argumentation & Debate issue discussed in the podcast is available here. In this episode: James Herndon, Scott Phillips, Whit Whitmore

The 40th Tournament of Champions is in the books and this episode begins with a lengthy discussion of it: Could the schedule be improved? Was the “entourage rule” effective? How could the judging pool for late elimination rounds be strengthened? How does the class of 2011 stack up against its predecessors? Consider this the official 3NR TOC Debriefing. The second half of the episode shifts to a discussion of how to prepare for summer institutes. What can students do between now and then to improve as a debater? How can a debater make a good impression on his or her lab leader? Several tips (and warnings) are provided. In this episode: Bill Batterman, Maggie Berthiaume, Scott Phillips

Recorded at the end of April (Apologies for the delay. – ed.), the latest episode of the podcast features the return of Malcolm Gordon (his previous appearances include s01e03, s01e12, and s01e13). Several topics are covered during this hour-long discussion:  Topicality: after judging two T debates together at the National Debate Tournament (round eight between Wake Forest HM and Kansas KP and the semifinals between Northwestern FS and Michigan LZ), Malcolm and Scott discuss trends in topicality debating, suggest strategies for improving topicality preparation and execution, and wonder about the way that topicality debates are commonly judged. Conditionality: Malcolm and Scott discuss the way that conditionality is debated and judged. Impact Turns: is the era of the impact turn over? Scott thinks so, and he and Malcolm explain why that’s a shame—and how to improve impact comparisons. Framework: Malcolm’s opus answering Scott’s defense of framework arguments is not yet complete, but he gives listeners a sneak preview of what they have to look forward to. In this episode: Malcolm Gordon, Scott Phillips

Scott Phillips and James Herndon are back for part two of their discussion of TOC preparation. This time, the goal is to help students prepare to debate on the negative. How can you prepare topicality arguments to protect yourself against new cases? How does the politics disadvantage fit into your preparation? What counterplans should you have ready to go? These and other questions are discussed by two of the coaches of this year’s Copeland Award winning team from Emory University. In this episode: James Herndon, Scott Phillips

Preparing for the season-ending tournaments? Heading to Lexington in a few weeks for the TOC? In this episode of the podcast, Scott Phillips and James Herndon discuss affirmative preparation and strategy. When should you read a new case? What makes a new case strategic? How should you write your plan? These questions and more are answered in part one of a two-part series about the TOC. In this episode: James Herndon, Scott Phillips