New book: The Practical Guide to Debating

Neill Harvey-Smith's new book "The Practical Guide to Debating" is now available on amazon.com and amazon.co.uk - perhaps more - with a Kindle version in preparation.

Neill says: "I wrote it because I wanted to share what I've picked up from being part of the debating world over so many years. In particular, I wanted there to be a resource that people totally new to debate could pick up, read through in a sitting and feel ready for what is coming. There are techniques and insights in there that will help those keen to improve their speaking and adjudicating skills. It is relentlessly practical, with just the odd bit of misty-eyed nostalgia".

The Practical Guide to Debating Worlds Style/British Parliamentary Style equips you to debate in Worlds Style, currently the most popular, most international, and fastest-growing format of competitive debate. It provides you with techniques, ideas, and advice to develop your debating skills. It also offers tips for organizing a vibrant club, picking teams, and getting the most out of tournaments. It shows you how to adjudicate debates and also contains an in-depth guide to entering and hosting competitions.

The Practical Guide helps you see inside the mind of an adjudicator and cuts through debate jargon with a comprehensive glossary of terms. It will guide and accompany your journey of improvement - whether you are a nervous beginner or an accomplished speaker.

Neill Harvey-Smith was chair of the World Debating Council from 2008 to 2010. He has been chief adjudicator of the European Championships, the U.S. National Championships, and the World Online Debating Championships; he has judged the grand final of the World University Debating Championships on five occasions. As a speaker, Neill was twice national champion, a World Masters winner, and reached the final of the World Championships.

New debate book

Think Speak Win is an introductory textbook for debating - for newbie students, teachers, coaches and interested adults. This book distills the complexities of debate into simple, memorable, easy-to-follow components. Learn how to debate, judge, and coach a team. Hone your critical thinking skills, refine your delivery style, and outwit the toughest opponents. Even if you're not a debater, the skills of debating can help you achieve greater success, whether at school or at work. This book guides you through a six-step process to apply Debate-Thinking to interviews, impromptu speeches, essay writing, leadership and management.

All the author's royalties from the book will be donated to the Debate Association (Singapore), to help them spread debating to students from less privileged backgrounds. International customers can buy the book from Amazon.com or http://www.marshallcavendish.com/marshallcavendish/genref/Think-Speak-Win_B24238_Singapore.aspx. Thanks for supporting this project!

About the author:Gaurav Keerthi was the President of Debate Association (Singapore), and is a founding Fellow of Raffles Debate Academy and has over 16 years experience in the field. In 2006-08, Gaurav worked with MediaCorp to develop and star in the Emmy-nominated student debate TV show, The Arena. He was listed as one of Prestige's 2008 "Power List" for his work as President of Debate Association (Singapore). He has also served as a debate consultant for Google, the World Bank, the Singapore Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance, and written speeches for cabinet ministers.

Last minute gift for the debater in your life



Cover of Across the House



If you are looking for a last minute Christmas guift for the debater in your life then why not try Ian Lising's book Across the House.  The book deals with "the Art and Science of the World Universities Debating Championships".  It contains chapters on each element of debating from your style and argument to the different roles in a debate.

Ian is a former Chair of World's Council. He was also a debater, organiser and judge at many many Worlds. He has also coached the University of LaVerne to prominance at Worlds including one team in the grand final. There is no greater expert on the style of debating found at the World Universities Debating Championships than Ian.

I also see that the book is now available on Amazon.  That should save a little as the international shipping costs from the publisher were extremely high when I purchased the book a few months ago.

Across the House: The Art and Science of World Universities Championship Debating

Other gifts to consider include:

Pros and Cons : A Debater's Handbook

THE GREAT DEBATERS (2007)

Pocket World in Figures 2011

Across the House by Ian Lising

Ian Lising has published a book on the Art and Science of the World Universities Debating Championships.  Ian is a former Chair of World's Council.  He was also a debater, organiser and judge at many many Worlds.  He has also coached the University of LaVerne to prominance at Worlds including one team in the grand final.  There is no greater expert on the World Universities Debating Championships than Ian.

I have already submitted my order for the book and I recommend anyone with an interest in the World Championships do likewise here.