Studentslearntothinkcriticallyaboutcomplexquestions,diggingdeeply.
intosupportingevidence.Theyspeakwithconfidence,boldly.
backinguptheirclaims.Throughpractice,theydebatewithprecision,deliveringpointsthatlandcompellingly.everytime.
Studentslearntothinkcriticallyaboutcomplexquestions,diggingdeeply.
intosupportingevidence.Theyspeakwithconfidence,boldly.
backinguptheirclaims.Throughpractice,theydebatewithprecision,deliveringpointsthatlandcompellingly.everytime.
SPEECH & DEBATE PROGRAM
Think deeply.
Argue clearly.
Speak boldly.
Speech & Debate teaches students how to research complex ideas, build persuasive arguments, challenge opposing views, and communicate with confidence.
Explore Enrollment
Build the skills behind a powerful argument.
Students learn to move from curiosity to evidence, evidence to reasoning, and reasoning to clear communication.
Find the evidence.
Locate reliable sources, read research papers, annotate evidence, and extract the ideas that matter.
Build the case.
Develop claims, warrants, impacts, weighing strategies, and evidence-backed arguments.
Make the point.
Deliver organized speeches, answer difficult questions, rebut opposing arguments, and speak with purpose.
Skills that travel far beyond the debate room.
Academic confidence
Strengthen research, reading, writing, critical analysis, and evidence-based reasoning.
Communication
Organize thoughts quickly, respond under pressure, and communicate complex ideas clearly.
Intellectual depth
Explore ethics, morality, autonomy, human dignity, and competing philosophical frameworks.
A clear progression from first argument to practice round.
Open each week to see the skill students will develop.
WEEK 01Introduction to Proper Argument Structure
WEEK 02Research Skills – How to Read a Research Paper
WEEK 03Introduction to Philosophy
WEEK 04Debate Case Construction I
WEEK 05Debate Case Construction II
WEEK 06Weighing – Comparing Two Arguments
WEEK 07Advanced Weighing Techniques
WEEK 08Rebuttal Basics
WEEK 09Cross Examination Skills
WEEK 10Summary Speeches
WEEK 11Kant vs. Utilitarianism
WEEK 12Practice Debate and Feedback
Designed for students ready to think bigger.
Middle & high school students
- New to speech and debate
- Interested in competition or public speaking
- Ready to become a stronger researcher and writer
- Interested in philosophy, law, ethics, policy, or current issues
- Looking for a small, interactive academic community
College students & future coaches
- College students building communication and leadership experience
- Students interested in debate coaching or education
- Future educators, researchers, lawyers, and advocates
- People seeking meaningful instructional experience
- Applicants interested in supporting younger student debaters
Competitive experience with results to match.
Past students have competed successfully at national, state, district, and major regional tournaments.
NSDA Nationals
- 3rd Place
- 8th Place
- Top 38
- 6th Speaker — Middle School
State Champions & Finalists
- Multiple Minnesota State Titles
- Runner-Up finishes
- Quarterfinalists
- Semifinalists
NSDA Districts
- Multiple Champions
- Multiple Closeouts
- 1st, 2nd & 3rd place finishes
Top National Tournaments
- Apple Valley — JV Champion, PF Quarters
- Glenbrooks — JV Quarterfinalist
- Columbia — PF Champion, Close Out
Other Notable Wins
- Edina — 4th Place
- Birds of Prey — JV Semifinals
Experience that can open doors.
Past student placements include highly selective universities and leading academic and professional pathways.
School Placement
Job Placement
Good questions deserve clear answers.
Does a student need debate experience?
No. This is a beginner-level course designed to build foundational skills step by step.
How many students are in each class?
The cohort is limited to 6–8 students for discussion, practice, feedback, and individualized attention.
Is this only for students who want to compete?
No. Competitive debate is one application. The course is equally valuable for students developing research, writing, reasoning, public speaking, and confidence.
Can college students participate?
Yes. College students interested in communication, education, debate, coaching, or leadership can participate.
What does hybrid mean?
Hybrid instruction combines in-person and online learning. Add the exact meeting schedule and location before publishing.
Give your ideas a stronger voice.
Join a small beginner cohort built around research, reasoning, rhetoric, and real debate practice.
Think clearly.
Speak boldly.
Speech & Debate gives students a practical way to research complex ideas, build persuasive arguments, challenge opposing views, and communicate with confidence.
Enroll in the Program →Learn to build an argument worth hearing.
Students move from understanding an idea to defending it. The course combines research, philosophy, argumentation, evidence, rebuttal, cross-examination, and live practice.
Research
Find reliable sources, read research papers, annotate evidence, and extract the ideas that matter.
Reason
Build claims, warrants, impacts, and weighing strategies that turn information into persuasive arguments.
Rhetoric
Speak with structure and purpose, answer difficult questions, rebut opposing arguments, and finish with impact.
Skills that extend far beyond debate.
Academic confidence
Strengthen research, reading, writing, critical analysis, and evidence-based reasoning.
Communication
Learn to organize thoughts quickly, answer under pressure, and speak with clarity.
Intellectual depth
Explore ethics, morality, autonomy, human dignity, and competing philosophical frameworks.
From first argument to full practice round.
Each week builds a specific skill, so beginners leave with a working foundation rather than a collection of disconnected tips.
Proper Argument Structure
Claims, warrants, impacts, and logical persuasion.
Research Skills
Finding reliable sources, reading papers, and extracting key ideas.
Introduction to Philosophy
Morality, ethics, autonomy, and human dignity.
Debate Case Construction I
Build affirmative and negative cases with basic structure.
Debate Case Construction II
Strengthen structure and use evidence effectively.
Weighing Two Arguments
Compare arguments by impact, strength, and urgency.
Advanced Weighing Techniques
Cost-benefit analysis, probability, and magnitude.
Rebuttal Basics
Counter opposing arguments and defend your own.
Cross-Examination Skills
Ask strategic questions and deliver focused answers.
Summary Speeches
Identify key points and create a strong final impression.
Kant vs. Utilitarianism
Compare ethical theories and apply them in debate.
Practice Debate & Feedback
Complete a full practice round and receive constructive feedback.
A strong starting point for curious minds.
For middle & high school students
- New to speech and debate
- Interested in competition or public speaking
- Ready to become a stronger researcher and writer
- Interested in philosophy, law, politics, ethics, or current issues
- Looking for a small, interactive academic community
For college students & aspiring coaches
- College students building communication and leadership experience
- Students interested in debate coaching or education
- Future educators, researchers, lawyers, and advocates
- Applicants seeking meaningful instructional experience
- People interested in supporting future student debaters
Students have already made their mark.
The program materials report results at national, state, and regional levels, including Lincoln-Douglas competition and scholarship recognition.
Build a record that tells a bigger story.
For students pursuing selective colleges, scholarships, leadership opportunities, or future coaching roles, debate can become a meaningful part of a broader academic profile.
Add verified student college destinations, intended majors, or debate-related academic pathways here.
Add verified scholarship names, amounts, or honors earned by past students here.
Highlight alumni leadership, coaching, internships, research, or advocacy experiences connected to debate.
Replace these three cards with verified alumni outcomes before publishing. The attached program information does not identify college destinations or scholarship names.
What families want to know.
Does my child need debate experience?
No. This is designed as a beginner-level course. Students build the foundational skills step by step.
How many students are in each class?
The cohort is limited to 6–8 students to keep instruction interactive and give students meaningful opportunities to practice.
Is the course competitive?
The curriculum teaches competitive debate foundations, including case construction, rebuttal, cross-examination, weighing, and practice rounds.
Can college students participate?
Yes. College students interested in communication, education, debate, coaching, or leadership may be a strong fit. Specific assistant or coaching opportunities should be listed separately if available.
What does hybrid mean?
Hybrid instruction combines in-person and online learning. Add the exact meeting schedule and location before publishing.
Give your ideas a stronger voice.
Join a small beginner cohort built around research, reasoning, speaking, and real debate practice.