Jackson Eckel, LASA '20, October 3, 2019
Q1: What inspired you to first join the debate team at your school?
A: I was always interested in politics and I liked to keep up with the news, so joining debate seemed like a natural way to pursue those interests. It turned out to be a lot more intense than I initially expected, but I’m grateful for everything the activity has taught me.
Q2: What is your favorite argument in debate and what are your pro-tips to debating that argument?
A: I think impact turn debates are always some of the most enjoyable because you can debate about some really fun topics and imagine some pretty wild scenarios, like the takeover of AI Russian hypersonic missiles. In impact turn debates, it’s always important to have impact defense to their impact first, and then reading your own impact turn. This allows you to mitigate the other teams offense, which can be especially important in an impact turn debate where you’re trying to win that the impact is good and all their scenarios aren’t actually that bad.
Q3: What is the most important lesson policy debate has taught you?
A: Debate has taught me the value of community. One might think that arguing with somebody for two hours in a cutthroat competition might hurt the chance of a genuine friendship, but I’ve found the opposite to be true. To be a part of a community in which everybody is so passionate about the things they’re learning is special to debate, and the resulting friendships with people you wouldn’t ordinarily meet makes the activity worth it regardless of how many wins or losses you get at any one tournament.
Q4: If you could ensure all novice debaters knew two things going into their first tournament, what would they be?
A: The results from your first tournament are far less important than the work you put in to improve after the tournament is over. I know people who failed to win a single debate at their first tournament who are now successful national-circuit debaters. It’s about process over product, and if you learn from your losses and work harder than everybody else, your success at your first tournament has no bearing on the potential of your entire debate career. Also, have fun. Greet your opponents when you see them, talk to people you don’t know, and don’t be afraid to laugh or crack a joke in a debate.