Newcomer's Topis?

[WrittenSound]

Last year I did poetry and did alright for my first year in debate, and now I'm thinking about adding OO but I dont know which of the topics I've come up with to choose. Help me out?
My topics are:
Prostitution: Body, Mind, Soul? - I'll talk about how people sell themselves out for benefits that they're offered.
Charity - Are we paying for our cause, or are we paying for infrastructure?
Obesity: Acceptance vs. Change - kind of obvious dont you think? Are we changing the obesity rate in America or are we letting it happen, or worse, encouraging it?
Prohibiting Individuality - Everyone is different, and school systems not allowing certain colors of hair dye with the argument that it is a distraction may one day lead to school's banning people of outstanding height or weight because they attract attention while students should be focused on school work.
Veghead Meets Reality - How healthy/cost efficient is a vegetarian teen's lifestyle compared to an omnivorous teen's? (I'm a vegetarian and I need this info eventually anyways haha)
The "But" Complex - People in America have the idea that the government controls them, and think with the mentality "I know this is wrong, but what can I do about it?" A revolution isn't like a ripe apple that will fall on it's own. You have to make it fall.
Teen Angst - Teen anxiety and depression and how it has evolved since 1960.

[psettles24]

I like the "But" complex idea the best. It seems the most original and least confusing. Seems like a good one :)

[Drama411]

Hey wat up this donovan aka drama411 i was thinking bout a oo thats call ladies u will hav to explain all how women thinks acts what kind men they like how society is how people treat women but business talk the ladies but urself in these piece this piece is mainly coming frm u what is a ladie

[WrittenSound]

Thanks! I'll write out The "But" Complex and see how I like it for now :) I like the idea, but I'll need to figure out how I would back up my opinions haha

And Drama411, thank you for the suggestion but I could barely understand you. I'd like for you to type out your words into grammatically correct sentences because otherwise I'll just ignore you. Thanks.

[psettles24]

Anytime! I'm writing an OO right now too so I know exactly how you feel. It involves scrapping entire subpoints at times....*sigh. But good luck!

[cameronman]

Thanks! I'll write out The "But" Complex and see how I like it for now :) I like the idea, but I'll need to figure out how I would back up my opinions haha

And Drama411, thank you for the suggestion but I could barely understand you. I'd like for you to type out your words into grammatically correct sentences because otherwise I'll just ignore you. Thanks.

first off-lol.
second off- i think it works better to write something out, and then add facts, because that makes it so much more personal. so definatly write out your opinions, and then slash and burn from there haha. good luck!

[WrittenSound]

Thanks for the advice on writing it! I really didnt know where to start! So yeah, thanks a bunch :)

[Dynamite]

You might want to explain that it's a "But" complex instead of a "Butt" complex... for humor! :laugh:

[WrittenSound]

Dynamite - Haha, knowing me there will be a lot of cheesey humor in it anyway, but that seems like a good place to start x)

[CLT787]

You might want to explain that it's a "But" complex instead of a "Butt" complex... for humor! :laugh:

That could be an effective introduction if done right!

[BShulman]

Last year I did poetry and did alright for my first year in debate, and now I'm thinking about adding OO but I dont know which of the topics I've come up with to choose. Help me out?
My topics are:
Prostitution: Body, Mind, Soul? - I'll talk about how people sell themselves out for benefits that they're offered.
Charity - Are we paying for our cause, or are we paying for infrastructure?
Obesity: Acceptance vs. Change - kind of obvious dont you think? Are we changing the obesity rate in America or are we letting it happen, or worse, encouraging it?
Prohibiting Individuality - Everyone is different, and school systems not allowing certain colors of hair dye with the argument that it is a distraction may one day lead to school's banning people of outstanding height or weight because they attract attention while students should be focused on school work.
Veghead Meets Reality - How healthy/cost efficient is a vegetarian teen's lifestyle compared to an omnivorous teen's? (I'm a vegetarian and I need this info eventually anyways haha)
The "But" Complex - People in America have the idea that the government controls them, and think with the mentality "I know this is wrong, but what can I do about it?" A revolution isn't like a ripe apple that will fall on it's own. You have to make it fall.
Teen Angst - Teen anxiety and depression and how it has evolved since 1960.

I've done OO before and I would say steer clear of overdone topics, like obesity and individuality unless you can do them in an exceptional manner that's unlike other speeches. I would also say to steer clear of the veghead and prostitution ones just because your entire audience and your judge might not be able to relate.

[WrittenSound]

I've done OO before and I would say steer clear of overdone topics, like obesity and individuality unless you can do them in an exceptional manner that's unlike other speeches. I would also say to steer clear of the veghead and prostitution ones just because your entire audience and your judge might not be able to relate.


So that leaves.. The "But" Complex, Teen Angst and Charity. Wow, those were my favorites anyway :] Haha. Is Teen Anxiety and Depression an overdone topic? Because it's increasing so rapidly in developed countries.. I dont know coz I've never competed in OO. If it's not overdone I may write it out and see if I like it better than the one I'm working on now, to give myself more options. Thanks a bunch!

[JjulianSr]

So that leaves.. The "But" Complex, Teen Angst and Charity. Wow, those were my favorites anyway :] Haha. Is Teen Anxiety and Depression an overdone topic? Because it's increasing so rapidly in developed countries.. I dont know coz I've never competed in OO. If it's not overdone I may write it out and see if I like it better than the one I'm working on now, to give myself more options. Thanks a bunch!

I don't see teen angst as an overdone topic in and of itself. What I think is overdone is the "teens are victims of X, so listen to us" without any solution, point of advocacy, or any way for the judge to relate. They are, after all, beyond the teen stage and won't get anything out of a modern-day "teen's suffer" rant. Tying the current issues with research on what were past issues might be very effective. You might consider interviewing some 40-50-somethings and ask them what their biggest issues as adolescents were - and for any advice they could give you (not all OO evidentiary support has to come from a book, you know). I know Dr. James Dobson recently updated his "Preparing for Adolescence" book/video/audio series to account for the changes in teen issues since his first edition in the 1970's. Independent of his conservative Christian viewpoints, you might garner a bit from his insight into what has changed about teen life over 40+ years.

The "But" Complex... on the other hand... has the potential to be very enlightening and insightful. You'll probably come across with a "wisdom beyond your years" when you analyze this kind of trend in society. Plus, there are lots of action items you can give your audience and ways to fire up your judge/move them to action. I would avoid trying to make it too cute-sey, though. A little playful point here or there is fine... but make too many "Butt" jokes and you'll start to draw ire from some audiences and judge pools.

Either way, I think you're on to something.

This is my two cents... which is all my advice seems to be worth these days. ;)

Coach J.

[WrittenSound]

This is my two cents... which is all my advice seems to be worth these days. ;)

Coach J.

Your advice is worth much more than that! Thank you for your insight :] I'm really grateful for the sources I could look up for Teen Angst and you gave me some great ideas for The "But" Complex. And I'm not into slapstick humor so the "Butt" jokes certainly wont get out of hand. There'll be maybe one or two puns but that's about it. So again, thanks! And now I think I'm ready to write an Oratory haha