Course Description: Debate is a one semester course on debate theory and practice. During the course, students will practice discussion forums, panel debates, and finally high school policy debates. They will learn the terminology, format, and delivery of such debates as well as how to research, write briefs, and plan for them. Flowcharting a debate will also be emphasized during the course.

Course objectives:/Student Outcomes: During the semester, students will be able to do the following:

1. Learn debate terminology, and pass a test on it.

2. Apply debate terminology to their debates.

3. Research for evidence, and distinguish fact from opinion.

4. Keep evidence files.

5. Prepare briefs

6. Write constructive speeches

7. Plan rebuttals

8. Give effective Cross-examination

9. Practice inductive and deductive reasoning

10. Enhance writing and thinking skills with speed while flowcharting an opponents speech.

Course grading scale: (% based) All assignments will be assigned points to be earned. The number of points a student earns on assignments will be divided by the total number of points possible for those assignments. A grade will then be determined by the percentage.

100-94=A 76-74=C

Quizzes and tests: quizzes will be given randomly throughout the semester. Tests will be given at the end of each unit.

Final Exam: any information covered during the course of the semester, may be on the exam. Exams count as 1/5 of the overall grade, and each marking period counts as 2/5 of the overall grade.

Compositions: Numerous writing assignments will be assigned. Some of those assignments will consist of reaction papers, informative essays based on research, constructive speeches, flowcharts, reaction papers, briefs, and a sample bill.

Homework: All homework is expected to be turned in on time. Every day that it is late = a 10% drop in the grade for that assignment. The only exception to this rule is for an extended long term excused absence in which the student must see the teacher upon return to work out an adequate time to make up the assignment(s)

I have created a website for Debate. It not only consists of information for this year’s team, but information for this class. It is a good place to check for homework. I will try to keep 2 weeks of lessons on at all times. The web address for this site is:

There is a wealth of debate research at this site as well, from well known reliable authorities, the US government, and the teacher’s unions.

Make up work policy: Students will be required to see the instructor after return from an absence and at that time will be given time to complete assignments in proportion to the time missed from class.

Extra Credit projects: Students can earn extra credit in one of two ways: 1. Attending one of the Debate team’s league conferences, and writing a one page reaction paper to it afterwards. They will share this orally with the class. 2. Adding extra evidence to the Debate team’s file. Each piece of good evidence= 1 pt. of credit. Maximum extra credit allowed is 20 points. All evidence collected must be put on 4X6 cards, and catalogued in the file.

Needs: Students will need 4X6 cards, paper, pencils/pens (a black and a red)/ a legal pad of paper (this is the long 8X14" paper) a folder, a manilla folder with their name on it, and a 3 ring binder for this course.

Topic: This year’s topic will be secondary education in the US. It is a topic that affects us all, and it will be broken down into subcategories, for research. (ie: safety, vouchers, homeschooling, bilingual, alternative, teacher testing, standardized testing, year-round schooling, etc.)