The COGblog – the official blog of the COG sourcebook, featuring free cases and evidence, strategy tips, articles, updates, and random fun debate-related stuff from a variety of contributors.
Factsmith – a powerful free research software package that can significantly improve your research efficiency.
COG is a unique sourcebook for Team Policy debate, centered around the NCFCA and Stoa 2012-2013 resolutions. COG offers a huge variety of high-quality, ready-to-read evidence from expert researchers to make preparation a breeze.
We've all had those rounds against a completely new case where we have no idea what to say. That's why COG is the first and only NCFCA/Stoa sourcebook to consist entirely of generic briefs. We all know that cases evolve and diversify over the course of the season; case-specific briefs you get from sourcebooks at the beginning of the season will likely be outdated by the end of it. Generic briefs, on the other hand, give you arguments that work against whole categories of cases, regardless of the details. With a good arsenal of generic briefs, you'll never be left speechless - and that's exactly what COG gives you.
Power: True Generics
When most sourcebooks say they offer "generics", they really mean "briefs that weren't written with a specific case in mind." COG generics, on the other hand, are specifically tailored to be useful against wide categories of different cases - like general arguments against increasing government revenue, or trying to improve prison conditions. [see more]
Quality: Solid and Authoritative
We use only the highest-quality, most credible evidence - take a look at some of our free evidence and see for yourself. In fact, our evidence quality beats most other sourcebooks hands down, and we have the data to prove it. If you care about quality, nothing beats the feeling of refuting a random quote from the New York Times with a solid, empirical, peer-reviewed study by six expert PhD's. In 2010, debaters ranked COG as one of the top 2 sourcebooks in the nation. [see more]
Simplicity: Make it Easy
COG brings powerful generic briefs and complex real-world arguments into the realm of ordinary mortals with a blend of innovative features and common sense. Organization is simple and arguments are explained. We offer a comprehensive case hitsheet to help you find arguments against unfamiliar cases on the fly. All briefs are fully cross-referenced for ease of use.
The tables of contents are below; you can buy COG 2012 here.
NCFCA Edition
TOPICALITY
Definitions
Topicality Press – Policies vs. Structure
Topicality Press – Member Nation Actions
Procedural Argument – Absurd Plans
GENERICS
Aid – Good
Aid – Bad
Centralization – Good
Centralization – Bad
Coercion – Good
Coercion – Bad
Humanitarian Aid – Good
Humanitarian Aid – Bad
Humanitarian Intervention – Good
Humanitarian Intervention – Bad
International Law – Good
International Law – Bad
Intervention – Bad
Multilateralism – Good
Multilateralism – Bad
Peacekeeping – Good
Peacekeeping – Bad
Peacekeeping – Human Rights Abuses
Peacekeeping – Human Rights Abuses – Response
Private Contractors – Good
Private Contractors – Bad
Sanctions – Good
Sanctions – Bad
Security Council – Good
Security Council – Bad
Transparency/Corruption – A Problem
Transparency/Corruption – Not A Problem
Treaties – Good
Treaties – Bad
SOLVENCY
Implementation Gap – Staff
Implementation Gap – Staff – Response
Implementation Gap – Members
Implementation Gap – Members – Response
Only A Tool
Predictions Bad
DISADVANTAGES
Efficiency Disadvantage
Efficiency Disadvantage – Response
National Sovereignty Disadvantage
National Sovereignty Disadvantage – Response
Vagueness Disadvantage
Vagueness Disadvantage – Response
UPDATE
Topicality Press - Agencies
Democracy - Bad
Democracy - Good
Disadvantage - Masking
Disadvantage - North-South Divide
Disadvantage - Western Mindset
Disadvantage - Western Mindset - Response
Minibrief - Smallpox Eradication
Minibrief - IPCC Abolition
Global Warming - Happening
Stoa Edition
TOPICALITY
Definitions
COUNTRY FILES
Afghanistan – Good
Afghanistan – Bad
Europe – Good
Europe – Bad
Iraq – Good
Iraq – Bad
Israel – Good
Israel – Bad
Japan – Good
Japan – Bad
Middle East – Good
Middle East – Bad
South Korea – Good
South Korea – Bad
GENERICS
Alliances – Unneeded
Coercion – Good
Coercion – Bad
Drones/UAVs – Good
Drones/UAVs – Bad
Intervention – Good
Intervention – Bad
Missile Defense – Good
Missile Defense – Bad
Multilateralism – Good
Multilateralism – Bad
Nuclear Weapons – Needed
Nuclear Weapons – Not Needed
Policing the World – Good
Policing the World – Bad
Predictions Bad
Private Contractors – Good
Private Contractors – Bad
Tactical Nuclear Weapons – Good
Tactical Nuclear Weapons – Bad
Terrorism – A Problem
Terrorism – Not A Problem
Treaties – Good
Treaties – Bad
DISADVANTAGES
Constitutionality Disadvantage
Constitutionality Disadvantage – Response
Hegemony Disadvantage
Hegemony Disadvantage – Response
National Sovereignty Disadvantage
National Sovereignty Disadvantage – Response
Overstretch Disadvantage
Soft Power Disadvantage
Soft Power Disadvantage – Response
Trust Disadvantage