About the Course
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Embark on an exciting journey designed to empower students with essential communication and critical thinking skills. Over five engaging weeks, students will progress through carefully crafted stages, each focused on a key aspect of debate:
Week 1: Communication Skills
In the first week, students will focus on building foundational communication skills. They will engage in activities that enhance their understanding of tone, emotion, and non-verbal communication. Through games and interactive exercises, students will practice expressing themselves clearly and persuasively, both verbally and non-verbally.
Week 2: Lincoln-Douglas Debate
Week two introduces students to Lincoln-Douglas (LD) debate, a one-on-one debate format focusing on values and philosophy. Students will learn about LD debate structure, explore simple debate topics, and engage in mini-debates. They will also practice cross-examination and work on constructing affirmative and negative cases.
Week 3: Impromptu Speaking
The third week is dedicated to impromptu speaking, where students will learn to think and speak on their feet. They will practice structuring impromptu speeches, brainstorming ideas quickly, and delivering speeches on random topics. Group activities and improvisational games will further develop their quick-thinking and public speaking abilities.
Week 4: Public Forum Debate
In week four, students will delve into Public Forum (PF) debate, which emphasizes teamwork and current events. They will be introduced to the structure of PF debates, research skills, and the importance of teamwork in preparing and delivering constructive speeches. Students will also practice rebuttals and crossfire rounds, culminating in mini PF debates.
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Dates: October 1 to October 24, Every Tuesday and Thursday
Time: 4:30 to 5:30 PM PDT
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The course will take place in a secure virtual classroom on Zoom.
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Students age 10-14 or grades 6-8 are best suited for this course.
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Free! At Equity Debate we aim to provide completely affordable instruction to all students no matter what.
Why Debate?
At Equity Debate, we believe in the power of argumentation. As two current debaters who started the activity in middle school, we both know the crucial life experience and plain old fun the activity brings to kids' lives. Debate isn't just about crafting compelling arguments; it's a dynamic platform that hones your communication skills, boosts confidence, and cultivates a deep appreciation for critical thinking. Engaging in debate refines your ability to articulate ideas clearly, equipping you with a powerful voice in any setting. Debate teaches you how to use online resources effectively and efficiently to find the most credible and worthwhile information for argumentation research and academic assignments. Beyond that, debate teaches teamwork, as you collaborate with fellow debaters to construct well-rounded arguments. It's not just an extracurricular activity but a life skill set. Join us and watch as your confidence soars while you become a master of persuasive discourse. The benefits of debate extend far beyond the classroom, setting you on a path to success in high school, college, and beyond.
About Us
Nikhil and Siddhartha are two high school students who debate on the United States national circuit and are both ranked in the top 100 in the nation. They both love debate and cannot wait to share the activity with students who may not have programs or opportunities to get started at their school. They both have extensive experience in teaching students around the middle school-age structures of argumentation, public speaking, and debate.
Nikhil Bawa
Siddhartha Daswani