Public Forum Debate Camp (Live)
In this four-day intensive debate camp for middle schoolers, students will learn all about principles of rhetoric, logic, and research, and apply them with fellow campers in mock Public Forum debate rounds.
What's included
4 live meetings
3 hrs 20 mins in-class hoursProjects
1 hour per week. Students may wish to work on their case writing and practice their speaking skills outside of the camp meetings. This is highly encouraged, but not strictly necessary.Progress Report
Students who wish to receive personalized feedback from the instructor on their performance and progress as a Public Forum debater may ask for such feedback, as well as guidance on any future goals they may have with formal debate.Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
In this four-day debate camp, students will learn all about principles of rhetoric, logic, and research, and how to apply them to the form and structure of Public Forum debate, one of the most popular academic debate formats. This is an interactive camp where students will work on researching, writing about, and then debating a resolution from the previous school year's Public Forum debate competitions. Students will receive coaching from an instructor who has coached numerous national qualifying and state champion debaters. This is the perfect camp for a middle school student considering joining a formal debate team when they reach the high school level.
Learning Goals
Students will learn about the principles of rhetoric, logic, and research that they will need to be successful in formal debate.Students will write cases based on an actual resolution that was used in Public Forum debate rounds in the previous academic year.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum4 Lessons
over 1 WeekLesson 1:
Principles of Rhetoric
On day one, students will learn all about best rhetorical, logical, and research practices for formalized debate. 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
The Structure of Formal Debate
On day two, students will learn all about Public Forum debate. 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Case Writing
On day three, students will learn how to write their own debate cases based on a Public Forum resolution. 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Mock Debates
On day four, students will practice debating in the Public Forum format with each other. 50 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
This camp will require students to research, write, and debate about a potentially hot-button political issue, such as the economy, public policy, or international politics. Students will not be able to choose their own side on the topic as the sides will be randomly assigned by the instructor. No preferences from parents or students as to assigned sides or debating partners will be taken into account out of fairness to everyone and due to the educational value of having to adopt perspectives that differ from one's own.
Students will then engage in a robust exchange of ideas with each other about the topic and will thus be exposed through both the research and the debating processes to numerous perspectives on these issues. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to decide if this is an appropriate activity for their child. I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.
Supply List
A pen and paper for "flowing," a style of notation used in debate rounds, will be required for each student. No digital tools will suffice for this; it must be a physical pen and paper.
Language of Instruction
English
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
Students will be coached on best research practices. Topics will be chosen from those created in the previous academic year by the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA). Research guidance will also be drawn from the NSDA-created topic packets, but students will be strongly encouraged to do outside research, as well. In live meetings, we will go over how to find appropriate, relevant, and reliable sources in great detail.
Joined June, 2024
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Master's Degree in Philosophy from Northern Illinois University
Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy from Illinois Wesleyan University
I have a BA in Philosophy with minors in Political Science and Greek and Roman Studies, as well as an MA in Philosophy with a concentration in Ethics and Political Philosophy. I’m the head coach of a competitive high school debate team and teach the liberal arts at a classical school. I’m also a professional creative writer and journalist.
I love helping students of all ages understand and interpret difficult subjects and learn how to crystallize their thoughts in writing and oral communication. I believe formal debate is a wonderful way to facilitate this kind of growth and learning.Reviews
Live Group Class
$80
for 4 classes4x per week, 1 week
50 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-14
1-18 learners per class
Financial Assistance
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