Tier 1: Introductory Debate

This entry-level course is designed for students with little to no prior debate experience. It introduces the foundational skills of argumentation, public speaking, critical thinking, and structured communication. Emphasis is placed on building confidence and understanding the basics of formal debate formats.

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Course Objectives

  • Understand the structure and purpose of formal debate
  • Develop basic public speaking, research, and listening skills
  • Learn to work in teams and speak with clarity

Debate Formats

  • Public Forum (primary)
  • World Schools (light introduction)
  • Require 2-4 speech time per speaker with guided case preparation

Topics

  • Accessible, real-world topics such as education policy, social media, and voting rights
  • Emphasis on relevance to students' lived experiences

Teaching Model

Foundational Instruction & Core Skills

70%

Instructor-led lectures and demonstrations

Focus on format understanding, argument structure (assertion-reasoning-evidence-impact), and speech organization​

30%

Structured practice

  • Basic drills
  • Mini-debates
  • Group exercises

Competitive Exposure

Tournaments

  • 1–2 local, low-pressure competitions per semester.
  • Emphasis on mindset-building and experience over winning.
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