Course Information

Course Rationale

There are many reasons to take Speech & Debate courses - far too many to list here. However, here are a few key benefits to taking speech/debate and participating in competitive debate: 

1. Critical Thinking - Debate is an intellectual sport. It challenges your preconceived ideas and forces you not only to examine the thoughts/ideas of others, but to do the same with your own ideas as well.  It is imperative that high school students, of diverse personal, moral and intellectual commitments, become prepared to confront multiple perspectives on unclear and controversial issues when they move on to college and their careers. This is not only important for assuring students are equipped to compete in the marketplace of ideas but also to maximize their own cognitive development more broadly.

2. Research - Debate is an excellent way to build research skills. Students in debate report that after being in the activity, they are able to skillfully research topics, use a variety of search engines and tools, and critically examine sources data for relevance, accuracy, quality and recency. 

3.  Communication Skills - Being able to convey your ideas effectively is critical for success in debate, college, the workplace and life. Participating in debate gives students a significant leg up in the development of communication skills, listening, navigating conflict and providing feedback. 

4. Voice and Advocacy - Most importantly, debate helps students to find, and refine, their voices. Students learn about causes that matter to them and are taught how to advocate for those things passionately, intelligently and clearly. 

Course Description

This course is designed to serve as an advanced, competitive communications course that focuses on public speaking as a form of communication.  This course is designed to help you: select intellectually challenging and socially significant speech topics appropriate to specific audiences; prepare outlines that facilitate the delivery of well-organized speeches; develop research skills and construct strong arguments; speak comfortably, competently and eloquently in front of an audience; and assess public speakers' strengths and weaknesses.  You will also learn techniques to increase confidence, methods of adapting to a variety of audiences, and ways to support ideas with sound evidence and logic. You will be speaking in this class!  If at any time you need my assistance please feel free to see me, I will help you in any way I can. 

Basic Classroom Expectations

1. Be Respectful

2. Be Prepared

3. Be Engaged

4. Be Productive

The debate space is for learning, growing and developing your voice. You cannot do that if you come unprepared, are disrespectful to others or are not on task. Be sure you maximize your time by meeting these expectations. You can find more detailed rules/expectations in the class syllabus, located HERE. 

Course Sequence 

Public Speaking I, Public Speaking II, Public Speaking III, Independent Study in Speech

Debate I, Debate II, Debate III, Independent Study in Speech

Students wishing to 'double block' should contact the directors to get permission and information on course sequencing. Double-blocking is by director approval only and is approved on a case-by-case information.

Late Work, Make-up Work, Missed Work & Grading

Grading

Your grade in this class is determined by using the following criteria:

50% Major grades (classroom/debate participation, progress, speeches, tests and major projects)

10% Tournament Attendance (1 per 9 weeks novice; 2 per 9 weeks varsity – mandatory)

10% Practice Attendance (Tues/Weds, 18 practices/9 weeks – attend 90% of practices for a 100)

30% Daily grades (homework, in-class activities, group daily work, filing, current events quizzes)

Late Work

Assignments are considered ‘not turned in’ if they are not turned in when you walk in the door.  Once this happens, a 0 will be recorded.  Students may redo or resubmit Minor Grades before the end of the 3-week period, to receive a max grade of 70.  Redos must be good-faith efforts at the assignment; trivial attempts will not be accepted or graded.  Work that is not turned in within the 3-week period will not be accepted.  In-Class or participation assignments are not eligible for make-up if a student opts NOT to participate during the time allocated in class. 

Retesting or Redoing

Students scoring below “70” on a Major Grade may redo the assignment/test (or similar) after completing prerequisite work. Retesting/redoing should be completed within five school days.  For multiple choice exams, all students will be allowed to correct the exam to earn back ½ of the lost points.  Students wishing to redo a project after earning a failing grade must redo the entire assignment on a different topic.

Tardies and Absences

Tardies are given when students arrive, without a pass, after the bell has rung. If you are tardy, come in, sit down and get to work. If you will be absent for a school sponsored activity, you should come see me BEFORE the absence to get your work. Work will be due upon return from the activity. Students who have an excused absence will be given 1 extra day per day of excused absences to return work missed. 

The above policies are aligned with the Pflugerville ISD grading and attendance policies.