Publications

The Companion Guide for Speech & Debate Coaches was conceived as a tool to help educators who are new to coaching speech & debate figure out where to start. The book contains activities, drills, exercises, handouts, templates, graphic organizers, etc. designed to help you become a more effective educator and coach. Whether you are new to coaching or an experienced educator, the Companion Guide is sure to have something that can help you grow in your profession. At a list price of only $10, we hoped to make it accessible to everyone.

The first half of the book focuses on team management ranging from recruiting to preparing for the season to attending tournaments. The second half of the book focuses on event preparation. Many of the activities, drills, and exercises are even designed to “plug and play” so that you can hit the ground running. Some of them are so straight forward, you could even leave them as emergency substitute lesson plans.

The text can be purchased on Amazon or any retail bookseller.

"Briscoe's Companion Guide is an invaluable resource for Speech & Debate educators and coaches. While a useful resource to all experience levels, I use this text in my teacher education prep classes and have received a great deal of positive feedback from students who are now teaching in the field, sharing how much this resource has helped them successfully teach and lead a team early in their career. This text is an absolute "must have" in your teacher toolkit." - Dr. Nicole Freeman, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies & Assistant Director of Forensics, University of Central Missouri

Policy Debate: A Guide for High School and College Debaters, introduces educators, coaches, and students at the high school and college levels to the concepts at the foundation of policy debate, also known as cross-examination debate, and uses conceptual analysis and real-world examples to help students engage in competitive debates and deploy winning strategies.

The text addresses all aspects of policy debate, including stock issues, judging paradigms and effective engagement with judges, the responsibilities of both affirmative and negative teams, and the evaluation of policy proposals through the use of disadvantages, counterplans, and critical argumentation. In addition, the book helps debaters better establish their credibility, improve their cross-examination skills, and understand the specialized notetaking method called flowing. The book models for readers how to effectively cross-examine an opposing team, features a transcript of a mock debate designed to help clarify the lessons taught in previous chapters, and includes a glossary of key terms. It also considers contemporary trends in the debate community, exploring the evolution of policy debate and the rise of performance-based approaches, while providing insight into how best to engage with performance teams.

Offering a unique approach presented by a seasoned debate coach, Policy Debate: A Guide for High School and College Debaters goes beyond the basics to explore how policy is an ever-evolving form of debate. This attention to the progression of policy styles will make readers better at adapting to opponents during a debate and will make them more adept at arguing against a wider range of cases.

The texts straight forward approach even makes it a helpful tool for those who participate in formats such as Public Forum, National Parliamentary Debate Association, and Lincoln Douglas.

The text can be purchased through Southern Illinois University Press, Amazon, or any retail bookseller.

“Briscoe’s wealth of knowledge about and experience with policy debate is well represented in Policy Debate. Students, and even coaches, often must attend summer camps at great expense or spend years working concertedly to gather the information clearly conveyed here.”—Derek Buescher, University of Puget Sound

“There is a significant need for an updated textbook that guides beginning students on the nuances of policy debate; many of the existing resources appear to be written by individuals who have not watched a competitive high school policy round in years. Briscoe’s Policy Debate fulfills the need for a current, detailed textbook by preparing students for a variety of competitive settings.”—Tara Tate, former president, National Debate Coaches Association

A pathway to community, growth, and change

This collection of inclusive essays explores the role of debate in understanding and critiquing injustice and inequality. Transcending the Game: Debate, Education, and Society closely examines multiple approaches to debate, considering their respective merits and controversies. This detailed compilation analyzes how debate methodologies are useful in everyday life and whether certain approaches have any value at all.

The book provides an in-depth look into the varying styles of debate and contributes to a greater understanding of argument theory by discussing three stylistic approaches: audience-centered, technical/progressive, and nontraditional/performative. The book demonstrates that all three approaches offer students opportunity to engage in a socioemotional learning space, a discipline that prepares students for undergraduate and graduate work, a study that prepares participants for future careers, and a field that investigates current controversies and how to tackle them. The text offers compelling narratives from BIPOC, LGBTQIA, and women authors that explore the personal impact of debate on social equality within this academic discipline, our educational system, and society.

The diversity in gender and race of the contributing authors allows for a multitude of perspectives on the complex styles, benefits, and issues discussed in Transcending the Game. Briscoe peels back the mystery that shrouds the benefits of academic, competitive debate from outsiders and insiders alike. A myriad of personal narratives tell stories about the role of debate in their lives; challenge the unproductive discourse in debate, education, and society; and offer diverse insight into why we debate.

The text can be purchased through Southern Illinois University Press, Amazon, or any retail bookseller.

“Transcending the Game is a unique work that highlights the perceived styles of competitive policy debate and the impact of these styles on lived experiences. The beauty of this book lies in its inclusion of diverse scholars and perspectives that help to detail the evolution of a perfectly imperfect activity.”—Shuntá Jordan, head coach, Georgia Debate Union at the University of Georgia

“Transcending the Game offers readers an in-depth and up-close look into the life-changing potential interscholastic debate can afford its participants. The authors’ diverse perspectives take the reader through a compelling journey of thought-provoking, uplifting, and heart-breaking stories that each exemplify the power debate creates outside of the competitive arena. For anyone considering getting involved in the activity, this book is a must read.”—Dr. Michael Greenstein, director of debate, Glenbrook North High School, and former director of debate, Georgetown University

“Briscoe has an unparalleled ability to explain the oftentimes complicated and complex concepts of policy debate in a way that is easily understandable. Through his use of personal experience along with his explanation of the theory and idiosyncrasies of policy debate, he creates a space that makes debate open and accessible to all, regardless of background or experience. This text is extremely timely, relevant, and necessary to continue the longstanding tradition and evolution of policy debate.”—Nicole Freeman, associate professor of communication, University of Central Missouri

Healthy debate is integral to society. A democracy can only thrive when its citizens engage in open and honest dialogue. In Why Debate: Transformed by Academic Discourse, a diverse group of individuals introduce readers to academic, competitive debate in our secondary schools and institutions of higher learning. Over the course of twenty chapters, the authors examine the role academic debate plays in relationships, academic achievement, careers, professional life, and engaged citizenship. The authors highlight the significance the activity has, not just on those who engage in it, but upon people everywhere. Competitive debate serves as a foundation for growth as students learn to navigate through society, form relationships, and develop the skills they need to succeed in college and beyond. Those who participate in the activity develop skills and dispositions that help them succeed in their chosen professions. Ultimately, debate makes people aware of what needs changed in the world and gives them the ability to effect meaningful change.

The text can be purchased at Amazon or any retail bookseller.

"Words DO matter, and the authors of Why Debate argue the essential benefits that participants in competitive debating receive and the impacts on society that result. Why Debate uses a perfect blend of academic argument and personal anecdote to prove the direct impacts that debating has on student achievement, civic engagement, and crucial skill development." - J. Scott Wunn, Executive Director of the National Speech & Debate Association

"This collection of essays belongs in the hands of all those looking to persuade a thinking public. Shawn Briscoe's collection of essays Why Debate is a compelling argument for the inclusion of debate and forensics programs in American high schools and universities." - "5 Stars" by Foreword Clarion Reviews

Books

Magazines & Journals

My Debate Resource