From: Kenneth Broda-Bahm
To: The Karl Popper Debate Program Listserv
Subject: Being Prepared Without Being Canned
Hello all,
Since I signed on to this listserv it has seemed to exhibit a characteristic that is most unlike debaters: silence. In order to see if the list is working and perhaps start a discussion I thought I would forward a few thoughts.
On the one hand debaters want to be prepared: to use the time that they have before the debate to select, organize and phrase the best arguments. On the other hand debates want to avoid sounding like they are just reading the same speech they read in the previous round, particularly in speeches other than the first affirmative.
When food is canned, the style of preparing the food has robbed it of its flavor. We can say the same of speeches: a "canned" speech is written out in advance. It may be brilliant, but it is not adapted to the opponent and it lacks the flavor of the debate. The question is, how do we prepare for later speeches without crossing the line and writing our speeches out? The following steps will outline one possible answer to this dilemma.
STEP ONE: CREATE ARGUMENT BLOCKS
A block is a standard-sized piece of paper which contains a number of quotations, examples and other arguments which are all related to supporting or refuting the same general argument. If a page included two quotes, three original reasons, and two examples all claiming that the death penalty is more expensive than imprisonment then it would be a block. Prepare blocks by sorting your arguments into categories. Give each block a full sentence title (e.g., "the death penalty is more expensive than imprisonment"). Ideally, you will have a block on each argument you plan to make and each argument which you expect to refute. You may wish to number the individual arguments on a block, or leave a space for the arguments to be numbered immediately prior to your speech.
STEP TWO: ORGANIZE YOUR BLOCKS
It is no use to have prepared arguments if you cannot find them. Sort your blocks into categories and file them. You can use standard manila folders for this, but my favorite method is the use of an "accordion file" (a file with several pockets--it looks like an accordion). All of your affirmative preparation, for example, could be placed in one accordion file. A list of the titles of your blocks and their pocket numbers can be taped to the front of the file.
STEP THREE: PLAN YOUR SPEECH AS YOU LISTEN TO THE PRECEDING SPEECH
As you hear your opponent make an argument, pull out the block that responds to that argument and place it on the top of the stack. You will want to write the blocked arguments you will be making onto your flow, or you can use a 'post-it' note (a small piece of paper with adhesive tape on one side) for this purpose. By stacking your blocks, you should be able to follow the structure and the sequence of the previous speaker. Use your preparation time to focus on answers that you haven't already blocked.
STEP FOUR: USE YOUR BLOCKS WHILE YOU ARE SPEAKING
Identify the opponent's argument, and then give your answers. Use the block to number and separate your answers and to provide evidence and examples. IMPORTANT: You should not just read off of the block, that would be almost as "canned" as a fully written-out speech. You should instead use the block to remind you of the argument, the example, the quote or the key phrase, then you should add your own words and transitions while you are speaking.
The end result of this process should be a speech that is well prepared (you thought about and organized all of the arguments and evidence that you could possibly need) but also fresh and adapted to the opponent (you are adding your own words and thoughts and you are following the sequence of arguments established in the previous speech).
As a final thought remember that food has one advantage over speech: canned food will almost last forever, but a canned speech will immediately be forgotten.
Thank you for reading,
Ken Broda-Bahm
Broda@Midget.Towson.Edu/
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