Debate
"Speech and debate taught me about leadership, teamwork, humility, and empathy. But most importantly, speech and debate gave me the ability to build meaningful connections and lasting friendships."
- Quinlan Cao
The debate classes offered by Grandview ISD are designed to give students the opportunity to work on developing their skill sets in the different speech and debate competitions offered by the University Interscholastic League and the National Speech and Debate Association. Students enrolled in these courses will learn the different rules, techniques, and strategies needed to find success in the competitive arena. The intention of this course is to allow students to have additional time dedicated towards preparing for participation in extracurricular academic activities. With this in mind, students in enrolled in the debate classes at Grandview High School will be required to attend at least one invitational tournament per semester in order to receive credit for that semester. Due to restrictions from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all tournaments for the Fall 2020 semester will be facilitated through a digital interface - there will not be physical travel.
COMPETITION EVENTS
POLICY DEBATE
A two-on-two debate format in which students discuss issues of governmental policy making and their potential impact on the real world.
The 2020 - 2021 topic is: Resolved: The United States Federal Government should enact substantial criminal justice reform in the United States in one or more of the following: forensic science, policing, sentencing.
LINCOLN DOUGLAS DEBATE
A one-on-one debate format in which students discuss issues of values, morality, and the ethical implications of our real world decisions.
The Fall 2020 topic is: Resolved: When in doubt, public health ought to be prioritized over individual liberty.
CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE
A debate format in which students compete against a large number of other individuals in a model congress setting. Students attempt to negotiate the intricacies of policy making by debating the potential benefits and disadvantages of proposed legislation.
The Fall 2020 legislative docket can be found at this link.
EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING
An individual event in which students are given 30 minutes to consult previously established notes to prepare a speech on current news events with the intention of sharing the information in an engaging way.
ORAL INTERPRETATION
An individual event in which students perform a selection of literature for an audience with the intention of communicating the thematic and narrative elements of the piece in an entertaining way.
2020 - 2021 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
**This is a living document - the schedule will change based on student availability, travel policies, etc.**
September 12 - Princeton TFA
October 16/17 - Midland Lee/Trinity School of Midland Swing TFA
October 31 - Waco: Midway TFA
November 21 - China Spring TFA
December 5 - Corpus Christi: London TFA
December 18/19 - Houston: Kingwood TFA
January 9 - Joshua UIL
January 29/30 - Banquete TFA
February 6 - Waco: Midway UIL
February 13 - Grandview UIL
March 6 - TBA (UIL Tournament)