Speech and Debate

Speech and Debate classes can be used to fulfill the 1.0 High School Graduation Requirement for Performing Arts.

ALL Speech and Debate classes require speaking in front of a group of listeners, typically peers within the classroom.

1007305 Speech 1

This one semester class is for students to improve their public speaking skills including – confidence to speak in front of others as well as improving your voice for speech delivery.  Students begin by understanding the Communication Cycle for public speaking, correcting problems in communications and how to speak for different purposes.  Students additionally learn interpersonal, nonverbal, and ethical communications.  Students begin – the first week – delivering an introductions speech, then moving to a speech of information, persuasion, and reflection. Students learn to write for speaking (opposed to writing essays for reading).  All skill levels are welcome to take this course.  

1007315 Speech 2

This one semester course is a continuation of Speech 1, which is a prerequisite for taking Speech 2.  This course is faster paced compared to Speech 1.  Students will learn to memorize longer pieces of speech.  Activities include working together for a persuasive campaign, rhetorical tools needed to write convincing discourse, voice lessons, and many other speaking skills.  Speeches include special occasion speeches, extemporaneous speaking, persuasive speech, and Original Oratory, a final 10 minute speech that students write, memorize, and deliver to the class.

1007330 Debate 1

This one credit, full year class introduces students to the art of argumentation, active listening, extemporaneous speaking, and self-control.  Students learn various skills such as the classic argument, philosophy, researching and qualifying sources, writing debate cases, and using their voices as a tool for persuasion.  Students begin each class by responding to current events as debate topics.  Throughout the course, students learn the following debates – Public Forum, Student Congress, and Lincoln Douglas.  Traditionally, Debate 1 is not a competition class, but some students who show superior debate skills, may be allowed to compete in debate tournaments with the debate coach’s permission.

1007340 Debate 2

This one credit, full year course is for students who successfully completed Debate 1 and wish to continue their debate skills.  Students work more independently and focus on the speech or debate events that they like and prepare for competitions.  Debate 2 students are encouraged to compete at least 1 to 2 times during the school year.  Debate 2 students are part of the Lake Brantley High School Debate team.  In addition to competing in debate tournaments, Debate 2 students are required to support their team even when they are not competing.  This could include case writing, research, spar debates, and the such. Students are required to successfully complete Debate 1 and/or Speech 1 & 2 in order to take this Debate 2 course.

1007450 Debate 3 Honors

1007460 Debate 4 Honors

These one credit honors credits are a continuation of Debate 2.  Debate 3H & 4H students act in leadership roles to support the Debate 2 students.  Additionally, as members of the Lake Brantley Debate team, students compete at monthly tournaments or as many as they can.  The competition experience in invaluable to these leadership students.  Students are encouraged to compete in 4-5 tournaments over the school year.

In addition to competing in debate tournaments, students support those team members who are competing.  This support may be researching, case writing, spar debating, and oratorical feedback.  Students are required to successfully complete Debate 2 in order to take these courses.