A word to DEBATERS: In honor of Mother’s Day 2014, prior to attending your national invitational…
Resolved: For one day, debaters will not utter the word “actually” to their mothers.
Definition 1 – day – 24 hours
Definition 2 – utter – to give audible expression to; speak or pronounce
Harm 1 – Miscommunication
Link 1 – debaters begin 98% of their everyday responses to mothers with the word “actually”
Link 2 – mothers feel challenged by their children
Impact – debaters and their mothers are sad
Plan – The word “actually” will be eliminated from the debater’s vocabulary for 24 consecutive hours
Advantages – Adv 1 – Mothers and their debater children will live in harmony
Adv 2 – Mothers and their children will hug often before arriving at the national tournament, where debaters will then be able to resume use of the word ad nauseum.
A word to SPEAKERS: In honor of Mother’s Day 2014, prior to attending your national invitational agree to say frequently,
“Why, yes Mother, I HAVE been practicing my speeches and plan to do SO much more.”
A word to MOTHER COACHES:
- Do not act shocked or alarmed – gratefully welcome any positively altered behavior in your speakers/debaters.
- Do not ask, “Have you been reading Mrs. Heggem’s blog?”
- Have a wonderful Mother’s Day. God bless you all!