Advanced Speech and Debate Technique: the Art of Persuasion, Wit, Logic and Rhetoric

It is a pre-requisite that learners have either taken my course entitled, The Great Debate, or have some other debate training.  This is a course that will assume that learners have introductory knowledge and experience in debate including understanding constructives, rebuttals, flows etc.  

This course will continue to stretch learners who want to focus on their rhetorical skills as well as their argumentation and logic skills.  

The first half of the class will be focused on logic and argumentation.  Each week the learners will be introduced to a specific logical fallacy and will practice identifying the fallacy in other constructives as well as practicing how to avoid the pitfalls of the particular logical fallacy in their own argumentation and constructives.  The logical fallacies explored will include: 

1) Overgeneralizations – conclusions based on too little evidence.
2)Circular Reasoning – supporting your opinion by restating it in other words.
3) Either-Or Fallacy – assuming that a complex question has only two possible answers.
4) Cause and Effect Fallacy – saying one event caused another just because it came before.
5) Loaded Language – words or language meant to appeal to emotions rather than logic.
6) Bandwagon – you should do it because everybody’s doing it and you want to belong, don’t you?

The second half of the course will focus on cross examination and points of information, with learners honing their skills on how to ask effective questions in debate which serve to a) clarify the opponents position, b) identify where agreement and differences lay and c) skillfully move your opponent into a defensive position within the debate.  


Within all 10 weeks learners will be engaged weekly in both debate practice and constructive criticism, providing feedback to fellow classmates, identifying logical fallacies when they occur, and practicing rhetorical techniques in speed and presentation.  Team debate weeks will require learners to work in teams, allowing focused practice in compromise and the ability to work congruently within presentation styles.  This class is very interactive and learners should be prepared to debate weekly.  

Weekly preparation will be required of learners as well.  Topics and assigned positions will be given each week, allowing for learners to prepare research, constructive speeches and questioning  ahead of time.  Learners may want to work during the course of the week with their partners, when engaged in team debates.  

Because this class involves learners engaging together in a learning environment, it is very important that the behavior and demeanor in class remain respectful, kind and helpful in all aspects. With learners putting themselves forward to practice their debating skills, and with the element of peer and self examination, the teacher will expect all learners to engage together in a positive, helpful and supportive manner. 

It is important to note that in this particular course the minimum number of students is required to ensure that the class can go forward. Because it relies so much on student interaction, it is simply impossible to run the class without at least 6 learners enrolled.