LD Lessons
Follow the lessons in order—from foundations to TOC-level strategy. Each lesson is concise, plain-language, and example-driven.
- 01
Foundations: What LD Is + Speech Order
LD in plain terms and exactly what each speech does, with a simple round map.
- 02
Styles: Traditional vs Progressive
Trad is moral philosophy at conversational speed; Progressive is faster with theory/K/CP.
- 03
Case Building (Traditional V/C) with Real Examples
How to pick a Value and Criterion, then write contentions that actually win.
- 04
Frameworks (Progressive): ROB/ROJ made simple
Define what the ballot should do (ROB) and the judge’s job (ROJ), then justify it.
- 05
Cutting Cards 101: Tags, Warrants, Citations
Find credible sources, extract the warrant, and tag properly.
- 06
Writing Contentions + Spikes (Preempts)
CWIPE structure and smart preemptions that block common answers.
- 07
Delivery & Spreading: Clarity-first Drills
Speak to persuade; spread only as fast as you’re clear. Drills included.
- 08
Flowing Fundamentals
Columns by speech, short tags, mark drops. Make the judge’s job easy.
- 09
Turns and Permutations (Safely)
Link turns vs impact turns; avoid double turns. Perm types for CPs/Ks.
- 10
Weighing Basics (Interactive)
Magnitude, probability, timeframe, reversibility—with an interactive visualizer.
- 11
Theory: TIVS + Common Shells + Answers
Interp → Violation → Standards → Voters. Disclosure, spec, conditionality, new in 2NR/2AR.
- 12
Topicality (T): Definitions, Standards, Voters
Prove the Aff isn’t within the resolution; or answer with We Meet, Counter-Interp, Reasonability.
- 13
Kritiks: Links, Impacts, Alternatives, Framework
What a K is, common types (Cap, Security, SetCol, Fem, Anthro), and how to answer.
- 14
K-Affs: Types and How to Respond
Method/performance/policy-leaning K-Affs; answers with FW/T and topical versions of the Aff.
- 15
Counterplans and PIKs: Compete and Answer
CP parts: text, solvency, net benefit, competition. PIKs: allow parts of plan but reject the rest.
- 16
Disadvantages (DAs): Build and Answer
Uniqueness → Link → Internal Link → Impact. Answers: no link, link turn, impact defense/turn.
- 17
Rebuttal Strategy (1AR/NR/2AR) and Collapsing
Answer everything in 1AR, collapse cleanly in NR, tell a simple ballot story in 2AR.
- 18
Strategy Matrix, Judge Adaptation, Flow/Time, Drills, Cheat Sheet
Matchups, how to read judges, flowing/time tips, practice drills, and a quick-reference.
- 19
Full Round Walkthrough: Open Borders (Resolved)
Step-by-step 1AC→2AR with concrete tags, CX traps, and back-and-forth responses.
- 20
Disclosure & CX Samples
How to disclose well, what to include, and CX question sets that set traps.
- 21
Cap K Mini-File (Tags + Cards + 2NR Skeleton)
Ready blocks: overview, two link cards, one impact card, alt text, and a 2NR map.
- 22
Security DA Mini-File (U/L/IL/Impact + Answers)
A generic security DA with uniqueness, link, internal link, impact, and answer blocks.
- 23
Full Round Walkthrough: Ban Autonomous Lethal Weapons
Second full simulation: 1AC→2AR with CP+DA+K interactions and weighing.