national debate forum: public forum debate
Public Forum involves opposing teams of two, debating a topic concerning a current event.
The Public Forum division’s curriculum is tiered based on skill development. This division is geared towards novice, intermediate and advanced debaters. Public Forum is offered in both the Online Session I and in-person Session III.
In Session III, the National Debate Forum for Public Forum Debate will offer two unique enrollment options:
Fundamentals One Week which will center around a curriculum designed to take students with little or no experience in the Public Forum Debate and prepare them for the upcoming season. Focus will be on topic analysis, research strategies, case construction, cross-fire, refutation, the role of each speaker position and judge adaptation. Students will leave camp with a solid understanding of Public Forum Debate and a minimum of five practice debates. Students do not have to attend with a partner, but if they do, they should be enrolled in the same camp session. Meaning a one week fundamentals students could not be paired with a student in our comprehensive program, as the curriculum schedule will not be the same.
Comprehensive Two Week which will center around a curriculum designed for students of all levels, from advance varsity to the beginning debater. In addition to a wide section of varied seminars, workshops, and research groups, students staying for a two week experience will have office hours and a minimum of ten practice debates. The comprehensive program is our traditional two week institute. Students do not have to attend with a partner, but if they do, they should be enrolled in the same camp session. Meaning a one week fundamentals students could not be paired with a student in our comprehensive program, as the curriculum schedule will not be the same.