My 8th grade DS has joined the debate club at school. This is the club's first year and the faculty sponsor has limited experience, but was willing to step up. Any recommendations for resources to teach format, procedures, etc...? Given I have never won an argument with my wife, I don't feel qualified to provide guidance.
Debate Resources
- Thread starter PT Doc
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Just for fun, I googled “starting a high school debate team.” All kinds of resources popped up. Here’s a sample:
If there is a local college, check into that. Perhaps a mentoring relationship could be started, the HS students observing the college students preparing, even virtually.
If there is a local college, check into that. Perhaps a mentoring relationship could be started, the HS students observing the college students preparing, even virtually.
unkown1961
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Here's the link to the national association for speech and debate. The two of you can fiund good info here. Also Google for videos of NSBA finals to see debate in action. He should have the option of Public Forum (PF) or Lincoln Douglas debate, so he can also google for videos of these two formats since a lot of schools post their debaters in action.
Keep in mind that speech and debate also includes interp events, like humor, drama, etc. He might go that route.
My three kids all did speech and debate (my oldest was state champ in PF). I think it's a great activity, especially in that they need to research and know both sides of an issue because they won't know what side they'll be debating until each match. This really gets you at the dinner table when your kids start pointing out errors in your political stances.
Also, debate is a great activity for college admissions. I saw a study a few years ago that debate held 30% more impact on admissions at selective colleges than other activities.
Plus, debate primes them for ROTC and college interviews.
Good luck to your son!