Course Overview This advanced 17-week course prepares students for competitive speech and debate tournaments by strengthening their public speaking, argumentation, and refutation skills. Students will learn to construct clear claims supported by evidence and reasoning, deliver organized impromptu and prepared speeches, and compete in structured formats such as SPAR Debate and Congressional Debate. Emphasis is placed on confident delivery, logical thinking, rebuttal skills, and tournament etiquette. The course culminates in a full mock tournament, preparing students to compete successfully in formal speech and debate competitions. Week 1: Tournament Foundations & Speaking Assessment Review debate expectations, tournament formats, and deliver baseline impromptu speeches. Week 2: Argument Structure – Claim, Evidence, Reasoning Learn to build strong, structured arguments using clear claims and supporting evidence. Week 3: Advanced Speaking Delivery Develop projection, pacing, eye contact, and confident physical presence. Week 4: Logical Reasoning & Identifying Weak Arguments Analyze argument strength and identify weak reasoning and logical flaws. Week 5: Persuasive Speech Writing Write a structured persuasive speech using claim, evidence, and impact. Week 6: Impromptu Speaking I – Fast Organization Practice organizing ideas quickly under timed conditions. Week 7: Impromptu Speaking II – Depth & Examples Strengthen speeches using examples, explanations, and clear reasoning. Week 8: Impromptu Speaking III – Tournament Style Practice Deliver timed impromptu speeches using official tournament-style prompts. Week 9: Refutation Skills & Rebuttal Techniques Learn how to respond to opposing arguments using evidence and logic. Week 10: SPAR Debate – Structure & Strategy Learn SPAR debate format, roles, timing, and winning strategies. Week 11: SPAR Debate – Timed Tournament Rounds Participate in structured SPAR debate rounds with evaluation and feedback. Week 12: Advanced SPAR Debate & Refutation Strengthen rebuttal skills and improve argument clarity under pressure. Week 13: Congressional Debate – Structure & Leadership Learn formal procedures, speech structure, and effective participation strategies. Week 14: Congressional Debate – Tournament Simulation Participate in full congressional debate simulation with scoring and feedback. Week 15: Tournament Speech Preparation & Coaching Refine persuasive and impromptu speeches with individualized coaching. Week 16: Full Mock Tournament Compete in simulated tournament rounds including impromptu speaking and debate. Week 17: Final Tournament Showcase & Evaluation Participate in final judged rounds and receive feedback to prepare for real tournaments.

Course Overview This 17-week course helps students build confidence in public speaking, critical thinking, and debate through structured speech practice, logic training, and tournament-style preparation. Students will learn to craft persuasive arguments, deliver impromptu and prepared speeches, and participate in formal debate formats including SPAR and Congressional Debate. Emphasis is placed on clear delivery, logical reasoning, refutation, and competitive readiness. The course culminates in a mock tournament and final showcase, where students demonstrate their skills in a formal competition setting. Week 1: Introduction to Forensics Learn the meaning of forensics, fairness in debate, active listening, and the fundamentals of public speaking. Week 2: Debate Roles & Logical Thinking Understand debate roles, fact vs. opinion, and introduction to syllogism and logical reasoning. Week 3: Introduction to Logical Fallacies Learn common logical fallacies and how to recognize weak arguments. Week 4: Fallacy Training & Argument Analysis Practice identifying fallacies and analyze strong vs. weak arguments. Week 5: Speech Writing Foundations Write a structured speech using claim, evidence, reasoning, and impact. Week 6: Impromptu Speaking I – Thesis Development Practice forming clear theses and responding quickly to prompts. Week 7: Impromptu Speaking II – Speech Structure Organize impromptu speeches with clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Week 8: Impromptu Speaking III – Delivery & Confidence Practice delivery skills including projection, pacing, and confident posture. Week 9: Argument Writing & Refutation Develop arguments and practice responding to opposing viewpoints. Week 10: Debate Structure & Tournament Formats Learn formal debate structure, etiquette, timing, and judging criteria used in tournaments. Week 11: SPAR Debate Introduction Practice structured short debates and receive feedback on argument strength and delivery. Week 12: SPAR Debate Practice & Timed Rounds Participate in timed debate rounds simulating tournament conditions. Week 13: Congressional Debate Introduction Learn congressional debate procedures, roles, and speech structure. Week 14: Congressional Debate Practice Participate in a full mock congressional debate session with feedback. Week 15: Tournament Speech Preparation Prepare and refine persuasive or argument speeches for tournament performance. Week 16: Mock Tournament Participate in a full mock tournament including impromptu speaking and debate rounds. Week 17: Final Tournament Showcase & Reflection Deliver final speeches in a formal showcase, receive evaluations, and reflect on growth as a speaker and debater.

This 17 week course introduces students to the foundations of argumentation, logical thinking, and structured debate. Through engaging activities, students learn how to build clear arguments, identify logical fallacies, weigh impacts, and understand basic media literacy. As the weeks progress, learners practice applying persuasive techniques, analyze rhetorical devices, and strengthen their ability to think critically in real time. The curriculum gradually deepens students’ reasoning skills while helping them become confident, organized thinkers. By participating in activities such as Parli debates, the Hot Air Balloon game, rhetorical device workshops, and quad debates, students gain hands-on experience evaluating ideas, forming strategies, and responding to opposing viewpoints. The course culminates in a polished final presentation where each student showcases their ability to structure arguments, apply rhetorical tools, and communicate complex ideas with clarity and purpose.

Course Overview This 17-week course helps students build confidence in public speaking, critical thinking, and debate through games, storytelling, structured speech practice, and beginner debate formats. Students will learn to speak clearly, share their ideas with reasons and examples, and listen respectfully to others. They will practice impromptu speaking, persuasive speeches, and beginner debate formats such as SPAR and Congressional Debate. The course emphasizes confidence, organization, teamwork, and tournament readiness. The program concludes with a mock tournament and final showcase, where students demonstrate their growth as confident speakers and debaters. Week 1: Introduction to Public Speaking & Debate Learn what debate is, practice active listening, and begin speaking in front of others. Week 2: Speaking Clearly & Sharing Ideas Practice voice projection, eye contact, and explaining ideas clearly. Week 3: Reasons & Evidence Learn the difference between facts and opinions and how to give reasons to support ideas. Week 4: Strong vs. Weak Arguments Practice identifying strong arguments and recognizing weak reasoning. Week 5: Writing a Short Speech Learn how to organize a speech with an introduction, reasons, and conclusion. Week 6: Impromptu Speaking I – Responding to Prompts Practice speaking on simple topics with short preparation time. Week 7: Impromptu Speaking II – Organizing Ideas Quickly Learn to organize thoughts using a clear beginning, middle, and end. Week 8: Impromptu Speaking III – Confidence & Delivery Practice speaking with confidence, clear voice, and good posture. Week 9: Building Arguments Learn to make claims and support them with reasons and examples. Week 10: Introduction to Debate Learn basic debate structure, roles, and respectful disagreement. Week 11: SPAR Debate Introduction Practice short, beginner debates with teacher guidance. Week 12: SPAR Debate Practice Participate in timed practice debates to build confidence and skills. Week 13: Introduction to Congressional Debate Learn how to share ideas, listen to others, and vote on topics as a group. Week 14: Congressional Debate Practice Practice speaking, listening, and responding during group debates. Week 15: Persuasive Speech Preparation Write and practice a persuasive speech using clear reasons and examples. Week 16: Mock Tournament Practice Participate in practice rounds simulating a real speech and debate tournament. Week 17: Final Tournament & Showcase Participate in a mock tournament and deliver final speeches to demonstrate skills and celebrate progress.

Weekly Class Plans: Week One: Themes – Course Overview, Listening, Self-Introduction Speech Basics Class Activities – Listening exercise; Name, Favorite game or toy Week Two: Speech One – Self Introduction Week Three: Themes – History of Public Speaking, Aristotle, Starting and Ending a Speech Class Activity – Favorite speaker and why Week Four: Theme – Considering Your Audience, Selecting Your Topic, Outlining Class Activity – Outline a topic provided by teacher Week Five: Themes - Using Visual Aids, Explaining Things Clearly Class Activity - Explain how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich Week Six: Themes – Ethics Class Activity - Videos of Informative Speeches; Speech prep and practice; Speech Sign-Ups Week Seven: Speech Two – Informative Week Eight: Theme – Using Language Effectively Class Activity - Poetry Exercise Week Nine: Theme – Verbal Delivery Skills Class Activity – Tongue-Twisters Week Ten: Theme – Nonverbal Delivery Skills Class Activity - Charades Week Eleven: Theme – Sharing One’s Opinion Class Activity – Speech Three - My Opinion Speeches Week Twelve: Theme – How to Share One’s Opinion with Others Class Activity – Group Debate Week Thirteen: Theme – Dream or Vision Speech Preview Class Activity - MLK I Have a Dream; Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address Week Fourteen: Speech Four – Dream or Vision Speech Week Fifteen: Theme – Storytelling Class Activity – Group Story Week Sixteen: Theme – Preparing for Final Speech Presentation Class Activity – Students choose which speech they want to share with audience during the last class Week Seventeen: Final Presentations and Course Wrap-Up