The document discusses the concept of the "ladder of abstraction" and how understanding and utilizing different levels of abstraction can help create more engaging speeches and presentations. It notes that the ladder involves moving between more generic to more specific levels of detail, from concepts like "cow" to a specific cow named "Bessie". It advises against getting stuck at either the most detailed or most abstract levels, and emphasizes the importance of dynamically shifting between rungs on the ladder to effectively communicate ideas.

2. Curse of Knowledge

3. Disclamer

5. Most speeches are boring.

6. We don’t want to give boring speeches.

7. There is a way to bring even the dullest topic to life.

8. Understanding of the ladder of abstraction can help win rounds.

9. What is the ladder of abstraction?

11. The generic word “cow” is one level up on the ladder.

12. Bessie Cow Livestock Farm Asset Asset Money

13. Stay away from “Dead Level Abstracting!”

14. Some people get buried in the details.

15. Other people get stuck in the clouds of abstraction.

16. The key to good communication is the dynamic interplay between the levels of abstraction.

17. Part 2 How to use the abstraction ladder win more rounds.

25. Tell Stories

26. Dictionaries do not give words their meanings! Extensional Intentional

27. Take definitions into the clouds.

28. Form a definition loop around the other team.

29. Debate speeches are often boring and ineffective.

30. Neglecting the abstraction ladder can cause boring & ineffective speeches.

31. Using the ladder of abstraction correctly can give you an edge.