LINCOLN-DOUGLAS DEBATE WORKSHOP

Although COVID-19 has presented exceptional circumstances for our typical in-person camp, we are excited to embrace the interconnectivity, flexibility, and collaborativity offered by a virtual experience where students from all geographies can attend. To impart students with a solid foundation in LD Debate, our faculty have designed a hands-on, interactive curriculum through training techniques commonly used in nationally-ranked debate teams and education-standard virtual connectivity software (Google Classroom, Zoom, Dropbox, etc.). 

​

In addition to live video lectures and small group breakout sessions, our online curriculum emphasizes more flexible practice opportunities through pre-recorded and live electives, practice debates/drills, office hours, and an entire virtual debate tournament at the end of camp. Because we recognize the challenges of engaging students through a laptop screen, we will always have designated instructors available to answer questions during lectures and even after lab sessions. Students will have 1 on 1 time with instructors during office hours and drill sessions, as well as access to individual feedback after practice debates and during the tournament.

​

We will guarantee a 6:1 student teacher ratio and cap registration to ensure all students of various learning styles can maximize interactions with staff. Based on the skill levels and students enrolled, there will be multiple, independent LD debate labs with separate online classrooms and tailored instruction, but the same, unified approach to debate theory and practice will be utilized; we will teach to all students debate fundamentals (case-writing, crystallization, extensions, refutation, research etc.) and skills to successfully navigate debate (debating policy and critical perspectives, cultural competency, self-improvement strategies, etc.). Crucially, students will leave our workshop with the knowledge, drills, and strategies to prepare for tournaments and improve their own chances for success.

​

Last year, 94% of our students rated our workshop 8/10 or higher, and 75% said they strongly or somewhat agree that they “feel confident in their public speaking abilities” after camp, compared to only 52% before our debate camp. We are also pleased that 17.5% more students indicated they strongly agree that they “strongly identify with my heritage, family history, and culture” after debate camp. We hope to continue this record of success in 2021.

Our workshop approach combines the national & international successes and personal experience of our staff instructors with an active and engaging teaching methodology. Our curriculum is designed by a two-time national LD Debate champion (TOC 2018 & Woodward 2017), and implemented by current debaters and rising stars in LD Debate to include the best and most up-to-date practices. ​

​

We believe the best way for our students to learn is to actively engage them in both theory and practical applications of the material they learn. We recognize that rising 8th to 10th graders require unique support to continuously maintain their interest and inspire them to continue learning, and thus, we have built our curriculum around the attention and educational needs of our students. 

​

Our lab time consists of a balance between lectures (content/teaching material), applications to debate (short drills, videos, skill-focused activities), and review exercises or additional reinforcement. We tailor our curriculum to each lab based on research in learning sciences and gamification, incorporating game elements and unique incentives to keep students engaged. Too often, other debate camps and educational institutions employ hour-long lectures without breaks or practical applications to activate the content that students learn. Rather than talk at students, we believe in working with and alongside our students. 

Yes we do! Here are a few sample topics and electives from our curriculum plan:

1. Debate Fundamentals

   1. Case-writing & Stock/Positional Debates

   2. Claim, Warrant, Impact: Structure of Argumentation & Refutation

   3. Research Techniques & Analyzing the Topic 

   4. Persuasion & Public Speaking Tactics 

   5. Cross-examination Strategies

   6. Word Economy & Efficiency

2. Debate Theory 

   1. Writing & Answering Disadvantages 

   2. 1AR Speech Structure & Time Allocation 

   3. Introduction to Counterplans

   4. Introduction to Kritiks 

   5. Permutations & CP Theory

3. Skills for Successful Advocates

   1. Cultural Competency in Debate: Navigating Race, Class, Gender, and Social Identifiers

   2. Asian-American Advocacy & Arguments in LD Debate

   3. The Path to Success: Tournament Preparation, Drills, and Self-improvement

   4. Debating Difference: Understanding Arguments from Multiple Perspectives

   5. Process & Product: Tournament Psychology & The Mindset of Champions