Monthly Archives: August 2009

Catching the Worm at the Wake Forest National Earlybird

By Max Webster[1] After a summer of camps, workshops, practice speeches, and filing, it’s finally time to shake off the rust, hop back into your suit, and begin the ‘09/’10 season with the first tournament of the year: The Wake … Continue reading

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Editor’s Corner: The Grand Slam

Welcome to the first installment of Editor’s Corner, which will become a regular column in The Ex Files.  In this column, I will devote time to discuss trends in extemporaneous speaking, strategies, and issues that impact that extemporaneous speaking community … Continue reading

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Extemp Questions for the Week of August 25th-31st, 2009

1. Does David Cameron need to be more specific about his plans to cut Britain’s deficit? 2. Should Israel strongly consider launching a new offensive against Hezbollah? 3. Can Bill Clinton make a difference for Haiti? 4. Is the global … Continue reading

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Topic Brief: Myanmar’s Struggles

Extempers who are juniors or seniors this year might remember the protests that threatened the ruling government of Myanmar, a country also referred to as Burma by much of the international community, in the fall of 2007.  These protests, led … Continue reading

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Extemp Questions for the Week of August 18th-24th, 2009

1.  Are Israeli evictions of Palestinians in East Jerusalem impeding the chance of a two state solution? 2. Is the recent decline in unemployment a victory for Obama? 3. Should the U.S. establish permanent military bases in Liberia? 4. Why … Continue reading

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Topic Brief: America’s Healthcare Debate

Without question the biggest domestic issue facing the United States in healthcare.  After years of extempers discussing foreign policy issues such as the war in Iraq, the war in Afghanistan, and the United States role in the international system, the … Continue reading

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Extemp Questions for the Week of August 11th-17th, 2009

1.  Is the Obama administration doing enough to decrease home foreclosures? 2. Should prisoners be given the right to a DNA test? 3. Does Canada need a free trade agreement with the EU? 4. Why is there such opposition to … Continue reading

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Topic Brief: Bill Clinton’s Visit to North Korea

As has been the case over the last several years, international attention was focused on North Korea last week as former U.S. president Bill Clinton went on a “humanitarian” mission to seek the release of two American journalists detained there.  … Continue reading

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Elements of Style for the Modern Extemper Now Available As a Printed Edition!

Logan Scisco’s extemporaneous speaking textbook, Elements of Style for the Modern Extemper, is now available for sale as a printed edition.  This is meant to satisfy customers who would prefer a physical copy over a digital copy.  The textbook breaks … Continue reading

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The Season Begins!: Extemp Questions for the Week of August 4th-10th, 2009

Since it is the first Tuesday in August, here are the first questions of the 2009-2010 season from Extemp Central: 1. Should the U.S. negotiate with the Taliban to achieve a lasting solution in Afghanistan? 2. How can India maximize … Continue reading

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