All About "Verbatim"

If you are just starting debate or policy, you may have seen varsity debaters speaking fast, cutting cards, and having speeches with very pretty formatting. In this case, chances are, they are using a software called Verbatim. If you are not using this software yet, do not worry; however, it can be a very useful tool. This post will walk through the basics of verbatim and how to start using it for your prep and rounds.

What is Verbatim?

Verbatim is a free add on to Microsoft Word that is hyper tailored to debate. It is basically a toolkit that can do anything that you want it to. It can help format speeches and arguments while being under time pressure. There are many shortcuts and timers for every debater. Debating comes easier with verbatim.

Why Verbatim is a Game Changer

There are many reasons to why you should start using verbatim as soon as possible:

1) Beautiful Formatting -- Verbatim is able to format speech documents with consistent fonts and highlights, perfect for debate. You are able to cite evidence, write blocks, put headers -- literally anything.

2) Shortcuts -- It becomes a real hassle when you have to make speeches and do everything manually. Verbatim has settings for hotkeys that allow you to just click certain keys and instantly perform a certain set function.

3) Collapse Feature -- Verbatim lets you collapse certain parts of your speech document. This means you can hide certain parts if you are getting low on time, easily allowing you to move on to make sure you cover everything you need to.

How to download/set up Verbatim

The software itself is honestly only good for Word, but there are some google doc versions on the chrome store that work just as well. Here are the simple steps to get started:

1) Go to the Verbatim website: https://paperlessdebate.com/verbatim -- This is the official website where the latest version is always posted

2) Download the Verbatim installer: Follow the instructions on the page. It should download a .dotm or .zip file that contains all the macros you’ll need

3) Follow the setup instructions: The site walks you through how to install the file so that Verbatim loads every time you open Word. You’ll need to make sure macros are enabled

4) Customize your settings (optional): Once you open Verbatim in Word, you can adjust preferences like font size, color scheme, and hotkeys. Most beginners just stick with the defaults.

Final Tips

Here are some tips for post download so you can get the most out of your Verbatim:

1) Practice using hotkeys: Spend some time cutting a card and using all the shortcuts. You’ll quickly see how much faster it is than doing everything manually

2) Use templates: Start your speech docs with a blank Verbatim template so everything’s pre-formatted, and you won’t have to fix things mid-round