Get your team together often to discuss material and exchange views. Your debate should be planned by the whole team, not by the coach or leader alone. What you want is not a one-man team, but a team that works as one man. The man who tries to "hog the evidence" in order to "shine" on the night of the debate is more dangerous to his team than are the opponents. It is always team-work that wins debates. Statistics Statistics, facts stated in figures, are much used and more abused in debate. Before accepting them as sound apply the following tests: 1. Are the units which make up the total definite? 2. Are the figures taken from an abnormal period of time? 3. Is the period of time long enough to make the figures fair? 4. Has the unit of measurement changed in value? Obviously a dollar in 1913 is not the same as a dollar in 1920. The Rebuttal Remember that you cannot introduce new arguments in rebuttal, but that you can introduce new evidence against an old argument that you are trying to destroy; and that such procedure will be more important than the rehearsal of old material already used. The rebuttal speakers should watch carefully both the Judges and the audience to note the impression which the opponents make. In rebuttal, attack and break down those arguments. Do not waste time on some small point made by the opposition and which is probably already forgotten. The Judges If you do not speak both distinctly and loudly enough for the Judges to hear and understand what you say, those who do so will have a great advantage over you. Your general bearing and manner will probably count as much as your arguments. Judges are influenced by vim, life, "pep," but not too much of it. ANECDOTES-EFFICIENCY One of the most effective short stories in modern times is entitled, A Message to Garcia. The late Elbert Hubbard is the author. Two short selections reveal its worth. I know one man of really brilliant parts who has not the ability to manage a business of his own, and yet who is absolutely worthless to any one else, because he carries with him constantly the insane suspicion that his employer is oppressing, or intending to oppress him. He cannot give orders; and he will not receive them. Should a message be given him to take to Garcia, his answer would probably be, "Take it yourself." The point I wish to make is this: McKinley gave Rowan a letter to be delivered to Garcia; Rowan took the letter and did not ask, "Where is he at?" By the Eternal! there is a man whose form should be cast in deathless bronze and the statue placed in every college of the land. It is not book-learning young men need, nor instruction about this and that, but a stiffening of the vertebra which will cause them to be loyal to a trust, to act promptly, concentrate their energies: do the thing-"Carry a message to Garcia!" |