Beginner to Competitor - Four Week Course

This course is meant to give students an in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of debate. This class will meet twice a week and help students understand how to evaluate a debate resolution, locate and analyze evidence, and create an argument.

The first day of class each week, we will introduce the debate topic and place the students into 2 teams. Debate topics will not be announced in advance but could include environmental, political, and social issues. Each team will be assigned a side (pro/neg) of the debate topic. Sometimes learners will have to debate for or against something they don't personally agree with. This is crucial to becoming a better debater. Then, the teacher will present a “case brief” on the topic. The brief will include items such as evidence, possible arguments, and an in-depth analysis on the wording of the resolution. For example: "Junk food should be banned" and "Junk food should be banned in schools" are two very different arguments. Learners will gain an understanding of evaluating the exact wording and using that to their advantage.

Students will also learn how to create a line of questioning, how to formulate an argument, note-taking, etc. They will then collaborate with their teammates in a breakout room to create an initial game-plan.

Each learner will then spend a little bit of time through the week researching and preparing for their side and role in the debate.

At the end of each debate, the teacher will give shout-outs and in-depth feedback into how each individual student can improve for the following week's debate.

Each week will follow this same format with different debate topics, roles, and teams.

Week 1
First Class of the week: Training / Topic Brief / Team Assignments
Second Class of the week: Breakout Rooms and Team Work day

Week 2
First Class of the week: Brief Collaboration / Timed Debate / Feedback
Second Class of the week: Brief Collaboration / Timed Debate / Feedback

Week 3
First Class of the week: Training / Topic Brief / Team Assignments
Second Class of the week: Breakout Rooms and Team Work day

Week 4
First Class of the week: Brief Collaboration / Timed Debate / Feedback
Second Class of the week: Brief Collaboration / Timed Debate / Feedback

Learners will have individual goals, as well as experience working with their debate team. Additional videos of debates and tactics will be posted weekly. This is not required homework, but optional for those that are interested in learning even more. The goal of this class is to empower learners with the confidence, self-esteem and public speaking skills to effectively argue for issues they care about.