The author, a high school teacher and forensics coach, describes ways to teach writing--including on-demand essays--that draw on successful practices she developed in coaching. Students learn the importance of using personal conviction and qualified thesis statements to build arguments, as well as learning "The Debater Four-Step," an effective concession and refutation technique. The author states that coaching forensics has taught her how to insist on solid arguments; how to stay focused on student improvement, not scores; and how to enlist students as peer coaches. She has also been able to network almost weekly with inspirational colleagues from a wide range of districts and disciplines. (Contains 2 figures and a list of works consulted.)