Start With Your Anchor Idea When your mind feels messy, don’t chase every thought. Grab just one. Your anchor idea is the single sentence that captures what you want to say. It’s your home base. If your topic is Courage, your anchor might be: Courage is doing what’s right even when it feels impossible. Everything else examples, stories, points will orbit around this anchor. Use the Lightning Plan Think of organizing your thoughts like snapping together LEGO blocks. First, tel

Start With the Core Message Ever wonder why some speeches echo in your mind long after they’re over? The secret is structure and emotion. To write a speech that people remember, you need to start with your core message: one sentence that captures everything you want your audience to take home. Then you build around that message like it’s a heartbeat. Every example, story, joke, or statistic should pulse in rhythm with that central idea. That rhythm: emotion plus repetition is

We’re excited to introduce Teacher Kimberly, an experienced English educator who has spent the past 15 years helping students build confidence and find their voice in English. She has taught learners of all ages while living in Singapore, Malaysia, and Turkey, and is certified in the state of Illinois to teach K–12 ESL as well as English/Language Arts for Grades 6–12. Kimberly holds a Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Massachusetts Boston and a Bac

Find Your Anchor, Not Your Script Your heart’s racing. The judge’s pen is moving. The clock is cruel. You’re mid-speech and suddenly blank. Sounding persuasive under pressure is about anchoring yourself in purpose. When tension hits, the main idea you want to share becomes your mental compass. Master Yourself Persuasive speaking is less about volume and more about rhythm. To control your voice when stress tries to steal it, slow down. Emphasize key words with vocal weight and

Have you ever noticed how just one small part of a word can unlock the meaning of dozens of others? That’s the magic of word roots, the foundation of so many words in English. Instead of memorizing endless vocabulary lists, students can learn to decode words like detectives, spotting patterns and connections that make reading and writing easier, richer, and much more fun. Why Word Roots Matter Vocabulary growth is one of the strongest predictors of academic success. The more

Reading is like building a superpower, one page at a time. Every child begins by sounding out simple words, but with the right support, they can grow into confident, curious readers who not only love books but also thrive in school. The big question is: how do kids actually learn to read, and how can we help them along the way? The Amazing Journey of a Young Reader Children’s reading skills develop in distinct stages, each one building on the last. In the Starter Stage  (Pre-

Public Forum (PF) debate is one of the most exciting formats for students who want to tackle real-world issues. Teams of two go...

(And How to Tackle This Year's Big Economics Question) Are you the kind of student who loves to ask “but why?” Do you find yourself connecting economics to ethics, politics to philosophy or just wondering how we make decisions in the real world? If so, the John Locke Essay Competition might be your perfect intellectual playground. What Is the John Locke Essay Competition? Hosted by the John Locke Institute, this international competition invites students to write thoughtful,

(And Why Think Talk Is the Perfect Place to Start) In a world filled with constant communication—texts, emails, essays, presentations—being able to express yourself clearly and creatively is more important than ever. But here’s the thing: writing isn’t just a school skill. It’s a life skill. It’s a confidence-builder. It’s a doorway into imagination, empathy, and self-expression. That’s why the Creative Writing Course at Think Talk is more than just a class; it’s a journey in

Have you ever been told you're smart? Or that you're creative? Maybe both?This topic asks a simple but powerful question: What’s more...

Have you ever been in a debate where your opponent’s argument just didn’t feel right, but you couldn’t quite explain why? Maybe they...

When you hear the word ‘debate,’ you might think about arguments, facts, and logic. But strong debaters know that beyond evidence and reasoning, there are fundamental principles that shape their arguments. These principles, like fairness, justice, life, health, and freedom, serve as the backbone of persuasive and impactful debating. Why Are Principles Important? Principles help debaters go beyond just facts and statistics. They give arguments a sense of purpose and urgency. W

Interpretation events, such as impromptu speaking, are more than just an exciting challenge for students who enjoy public speaking—they...

What does it mean to seek truth? How do we define freedom, morality, or even time itself? These are the kinds of questions explored in...

The Public Forum Debate Semester Course is designed to transform students into confident, strategic, and articulate debaters. Over the course of 14 classes (1.5 hours each), students will engage in dynamic discussions, hands-on practice, and real-world debate simulations, developing the skills necessary to succeed in both competitive and academic environments. Why Choose Public Forum Debate? Public Forum Debate is one of the most engaging and widely practiced debate formats.

Imagine a world where doctors can fix harmful genes before they cause serious diseases. Families suffering from conditions like sickle cell anemia or genetic heart defects might finally find hope. Sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie, right? But this is the very real promise of human gene editing. Yet, with great power comes great responsibility, and many risks. Could this technology lead to new problems, like rich families designing their “perfect” children while othe

Watching a skilled debater can be fascinating—there’s something about the way they speak that commands attention. It’s not just the strength of their arguments, but the way they deliver them with clarity and confidence. The secret? Smart phrasing. Great debaters may not always have the best ideas, but they know how to express themselves in a way that sounds thoughtful and convincing. Starting Strong: Set the Stage The way you begin your argument matters. Instead of going stra

Have you ever started speaking in a debate and found yourself stuck saying "uh..." or "um..." because you didn’t know what to say next? You’re not alone! Many students feel nervous when they have to speak in front of others, especially when they need to think quickly during a debate. But here’s the good news: fluency isn’t about being perfect, it’s about speaking confidently without long pauses or hesitation. In this article, we’ll share 8 fun and easy tricks that will help y

Meet Maranda, a dedicated educator who brings warmth and expertise to every classroom. Originally from Minnesota, she now lives in Murray, Kentucky, with her husband, Ryan, and their four cats. After earning her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate in Communication, she became an Assistant Professor at Murray State University, specializing in media effects, body image, and mental health. When she’s not teaching or researching, Maranda enjoys reading, spending time with loved o

For debaters, the time between semesters isn’t just a break—it’s an opportunity to refine argumentation skills and dive deeper into structured reasoning. Using models like Toulmin , Super Toulmin , or TaBLI , students can maintain their edge and elevate their performance for the next debate season. Build Your Knowledge Base Read Widely Broaden your perspective by exploring newspapers, academic journals, and books that cover diverse fields such as politics, economics, philosop