PREPARING FOR A DEBATE

Debate Central

"This site run by the University of Vermont's Al Snider is one of the best debate portals." -- from the description in the Google directory.

The site includes reprints of chapters from a 1964 book by Robert Huber about how to research and organize for a debate topic, the kinds of arguments that can be made, and methods for refuting the arguments of others. Although the research section is very dated (pre-Web, no electronic resources), the basics of debating methods and techniques remain useful.

Several prominent debating organizations are represented on the site. Educational articles from The Rostrum, a publication of the National Forensic League, are included in full text.

International Debate Education Association (IDEA)

"Focusing on young people and their communities, the mission of the International Debate Education Association is to promote mutual understanding and democracy globally by supporting discussion and active citizenship locally." -- from the site

Take a look at the IDEA Debatabase, a database of background information on current topics.