The Purple Guide to Learning Debate in 10 Days
A 10-day starter plan to build a real argument, defend it, and walk away knowing if debate is for you
by Alumigogo Books
non-fiction
A 10-day practical plan to try debate from scratch — learn the core skills, do the work, and decide if it's for you.
About this book
You've thought about trying debate, but the idea feels intimidating. You imagine fast-talking people in suits, convoluted rules, and needing to be naturally persuasive. This guide is the opposite of that. It's a 10-day, hands-on plan designed for someone who has never formally debated. Each day you'll do a concrete session — building a simple argument, practicing a structure, or drilling a skill — with clear instructions, real examples, and honest notes on what to expect. No vague motivation, no 'unlock your potential' filler. Just a checklist, a time estimate, and a task you can finish.
Reader Reviews
Michael Perez
★★★★★I literally knew nothing about debate and was scared to start. The 'First Day' chapter made it feel like I was just doing a structured conversation with myself. I finished the day's task, had a real argument I could actually say out loud, and felt like I'd built something. The rest of the plan kept that momentum. It's honest about what you will and won't achieve in 10 days, which is exactly what I needed.
Carol Martin
★★★★★I've tried to pick up hobbies from YouTube and always get lost in random videos. This plan is a clear path. I appreciated the self-assessment checklist on day two — it made me realize I didn't need to buy anything or clear my whole schedule. The practice sessions are short and doable. Knocking off one star because by day six I was still a bit shaky on the rebuttal technique, but the troubleshooting chapter fixed that. Solid, practical start.
Jeffrey Perez
★★★★★I'm a complete beginner and was terrified of looking stupid. The guide never made me feel that way. The first day had me writing a basic argument about something I actually cared about — mine was on remote work — and I discovered I could structure it. The gear comparison table saved me from buying a bunch of junk. I just used paper and a timer. This is the most direct, no-BS skill guide I've bought.
Kevin Green
★★★★★As someone who is naturally quiet, I was worried debate was all aggression. The day one chapter reassured me that it's about structure, not volume. I loved that the first real win was just having a full argument that made sense on paper. By day eight, the full practice debate narrative felt like watching a movie of what I was about to do — and then I did it. The frustration parts in that chapter were so accurate. Ten days later, I know this is a skill I want to keep working on.
Jeffrey Campbell
★★★★★I only wanted to try debate because a friend said I argue too much at dinner. I figured 10 days was a manageable bet. The daily tasks were clear, took less than an hour most days, and I never felt lost. The milestones table on day seven really helped me see I was on track. I wasn't, however, expecting to enjoy the full practice debate on day eight as much as I did. I've already recommended this to my dinner friend.
David Mitchell
★★★★★It's a good, honest plan. I appreciated that it doesn't promise to make you a superstar. After 10 days I could build a basic argument and respond to the obvious criticism, which is exactly what it said I'd be able to do. Four stars because I found the narrative chapter a bit too detailed — I just wanted the steps, not the story — but it was still useful for setting expectations. A very solid foundation for the price.