What is Debate?

Woodgrove participates in four styles of debate:

Policy Debate

• Teams of two debate about current, controversial public policy topics

• There is one topic all year that teams dive into very deeply.

• Sample: The United States federal government should substantially increase its protection of water resources in the United States.

Public Forum

• Teams of two debate about current, controversial public policy topics.

• Topics change every other month

• Sample topics: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization should substantially increase its defense commitments to the Baltic states.

Lincoln-Douglas

• One-on-one debate that focuses on larger, ethical issues

• Topics change every other month

• Sample topics:

  • Capital punishment is justified

  • The United States ought to provide a universal basic income.

Congress

• Participants act as legislators writing and presenting speeches that support bills and resolutions on domestic, economic, and international topics.

Speech

• Includes a number of performative events that engage students in memorizing and reciting published or original works of oratory. Also includes events with the opportunity to speak extemporaneously