Please Note our last class will go over time or need to be broken into rounds so that all students have the opportunity to present their debates. This class does not offer a competition at the end, just a practice run.  They can compete at our next level- Public Forum Intermediate or in my High School Debate Part II class which ends in a Tournament.  To compete they must first complete this course or show they have Public Forum experience.

Public Forum Debate students participate in opposing teams of two. They debate topics on the current issues of the day. Each team writes and researches their case, creates a narrative, and learns formal debate structure. Students will learn how to engage in rebuttals, refutation, and crossfire.  One of the aspects of this style that makes it so interesting is that there is an "open cross examination" where all team members get to speak at once.  This style also does not have the same types of burdens that you traditionally see in other types of debate such as Lincoln Douglas.

Our class begins with an introduction to Public Forum.  We will break down each phase of the debate (ex: summary and final focus) and will discuss each role and how much time each student has to present.  From there we will discuss common mistakes that students make, and those skills that help debaters to stand out and succeed.  As a class we will examine what is credible research and how can we find the most nonbiased research out there that judges will accept.  Once we get the basics down, each student will be given an outline, partner, and a topic, in order to begin to construct their case.  Each week students will complete an assignment that will bring them one step closer to being able to finish their first case and present it during our final class. This class is a multimedia class, and structured with group exercises, worksheets/handouts, videos, power points and discussions.  We will devote part of one whole class on learning how to flow a debate while watching a public forum round.
Day One
Introduction to Public Forum Debate: Lecture, Video and Outline.  Group Exercise- SPAR and Introductions
Day Two:  
Team and Topic Reveal/ Learn to Flow:  Students will learn how to flow a Public Forum Debate and how this could help them lose or win a round.  Group Exercise:  Flowing a Debate/Video.  HW:  Begin to research side of Topic and bring three pieces of evidence to our next class.
Day Three
Lecture: Credible Research and Case Structure.  Group Exercise:  Claim and Warrants/Best Team Research
Day Four
Team Meetings, Research Comparison,  Paragraph Breakdown,  Lecture:  Impact Statements  Group Exercise:  Effective Cross-Fire and Key Voters
Day Five
Final Presentations- Each team will present their debate.