One advantage of Ethics Bowl over traditional debate is that students aren’t forced to speak. This allows team members who would prefer to contribute during preparation, conferral periods and between rounds to do so without pressure or shame. In fact, it’s conceivable that a team captain could focus on research, argument construction and strategy, and leave every bit of bowl day verbal delivery to others.
However, Ethics Bowl is certainly a supportive environment to improve speaking skill and confidence. Plus, so many doors open when you’re comfortable in front of a crowd. If there’s anyone we want prepared to vocalize their views, its Ethics Bowl alum.
If you’re a coach (or competitor, or organizer who supports coaches), I’ve convinced you, and an accessible how-to would help, my humbly-titled public speaking book audiobook is now free on YouTube. It’s mainly for college students and young professionals. But I think many high schoolers would like it as well. If you try it, let me know!
Coaches, the only section you might screen is the “Urban Honey Badger” assertiveness exercise in Chapter 6: Conquering Nervousness. It’s borrowed from the world of self-defense and is a tad intense. However, that’s an Urban Honey Badger right there on the cover in a Socrates pose, so it can’t be that bad. Check it out and judge for yourself. Enjoy!
P.S. If you’d rather read than listen, it’s of course available at Amazon, but just shoot me an email and I’ll gladly share the full PDF.
Chapter Direct Hyperlinks
- Chapter 1: Swimmers Must Swim 01:47
- Part I: The Three Commandments of Public Speaking 19:23
- Chapter 2: Commandments Preview 19:29
- Chapter 3: Commandment I: Know Thy Material 25:34
- Chapter 4: Commandment II: Be Thyself 01:06:04
- Chapter 5: Commandment III: Practice 01:16:56
- Part II: Developing Stage Presence 01:29:07
- Chapter 6: Conquering Nervousness 01:29:12
- Chapter 7: Involving Your Audience 02:05:28
- Chapter 8: Handling a Tough Crowd 02:16:48
- Part III: Mastering The Mechanics 02:31:09
- Chapter 9: Physical Delivery 02:31:14
- Chapter 10: Oral Delivery 02:45:28
- Chapter 11: If You Must Use a Script… 02:59:46
- Chapter 12: Using Technology 03:06:07
- Part IV: Always Improving 03:26:04
- Chapter 13: Less Reading, More Speaking 03:26:08
- Chapter 14: The Commitment to Get Better 03:47:58
- Chapter 15: Mindset Revisited 03:57:06
- Chapter 16: Paid to Speak? 04:13:27
- Chapter 17: Tell Them What You’ve Told Them 04:29:14
- More Books by Matt Deaton 04:43:07