Class vs. Team/Club

The difference between the class and the team:

• Debate 1 is a class that counts as elective credit. Debate 1 teaches the fundamentals of argumentation and promotes social and intellectual development through dialogue. Tournament competition is not required as a part of the class. Debate 1 must be taken in order to enroll in Debate 2 or 3. Higher level Debate classes do require competition.

• Debate team/club is the competitive side of Debate. Students should complete Debate 1 to join the team but may continue to compete once the class is complete. We do not hold tryouts as tournaments can usually accommodate all wanting to compete. The competitive season runs from September-March. We usually participate in 2 tournaments a month. Students are not required to attend all tournaments. Students are allowed to select the tournaments that best fit their schedules. Students who complete Debate 1 in the Fall may still participate in Spring tournaments.

Pros of joining the team:

• No prior experience is necessary!

• Improve your public speaking and argumentation skills while expanding your knowledge of various current events and controversial issues

• Great way to make friends and build confidence

• Studies show a direct relationship between higher reading and writing test scores among speech & debate participants

• It's a great addition to your college application

  • In a study by the Wall Street Journal, debaters have a decisive edge in college admissions, leading their peers by as much as 30%

• When travel is permitted, students are given the opportunity to compete both locally and nationally, including at Harvard University.