Debate and Speech

2012-2013
Full Year Course
Ages 12 – 18
Tuesday

Course Tutor:
Katie Schmidt
kschmidt.teenworks@gmail.com

Course Description:
This is a course designed to help students

  • Develop Christian speech
  • Learn quality reasoning and presentation skills
  • Master the skill of choosing and defending a position

The first quarter (nine week period) will be devoted to the development of proper public speaking skills, the biblical principles of speaking, and understanding the “resolution”.  The second and third quarters will cover team/policy debate, theory, and techniques. The last nine weeks will include further practice of acquired skills.

The material presented will prepare a student for the STOA home school league, since they will be debating the STOA topic known as the “resolution.”  This will be announced in June.  Also be aware that as this class is a team debate class, all students will have partners in this class who will be assigned in the first quarter of the class.

You must debate in a minimum of three debate tournaments and one local speech competion (Voice of Democracy or Right To Life) throughout the year, and one of the spring speech tournaments.

NOTE: Do not sign up for this class unless you are willing to make the commitment for the extra time required for research and meeting with your partner and the extra travel to and from competitions throughout the Midwest.

Course Notes:

This course will seek to develop student’s skills in many areas including the following:

Researching

Logic

Developing Affirmative and Negative arguments

Case structures for presenting policies

Refutation

Public speaking

Cross examination

Critical Advocacy

Preparation and organization in public speaking

Grading:
Is based on the quality and completion of weekly assignments and quizzes, skills presented by the student in class and in tournaments, and the student’s work with their partner.

Course Prerequisites:

  • Students must be able to do research from the Internet and other resources.
  • Student must be able to meet with debate partner on line at least 2 hours/week beginning week 9.
  • Student must attend at least three debate tournaments and one speech event.  Families should be prepared to send the student and a judge to each tournament (usually a 2-3 day event) in the Midwest region.
  • Upon enrolling, student must agree to stay in the class as it usually affects the partner if a student discontinues.
  • Student must be between the ages of 12 – 18
  • Student must respect the coach’s instruction and decisions.

Course Fees:
There will be fees related to the registration for tournaments, as well as travel expenses.

Required Texts (Available from the Teenworks Resource Center):

  • Argumentation and Debate: Taking the Next Step by C. Shipe
  • Evidence Book – (optional) available from Monument Press

Required Supplies:

1-1’’ Three ring binder (with dividers)

1-Large file box and hanging file folders (wait until class to get details)

Writing utensils. Paper, etc…

Access to the Internet