Public Forum Fall 2026: How to Think Strategically About the Gig Work Resolution The Fall 2026 Public Forum resolution asks whether, on balance, platform-based gig work benefits workers more than it harms them. At first glance, this may appear to be a straightforward debate about whether companies such as Uber, DoorDash, Upwork, or similar platforms are good or bad for the people who use them to earn money. In practice, however, the resolution is considerably more complex. Th

What would happen in a society where books were considered dangerous, people were constantly entertained by screens, and asking difficult questions made others uncomfortable? That is the unsettling world our students enter when they begin reading Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451. Although the novel was first published more than seventy years ago, its questions about technology, censorship, independent thought, entertainment, and human connection can feel surprisingly relevant to

There is a moment in almost every student's education when writing begins to change. First, writing is mostly something students do because a teacher asks them to. There is a paragraph to complete, an essay due on Friday or a book response to submit for homework. The teacher chooses the question, sets the word count and decides when the work is finished. Academic writing competitions offer something different. For perhaps the first time, a young person can choose to spend sev

Spontaneous debates test more than knowledge. They challenge your ability to think critically, organize ideas under pressure, and communicate effectively in real time. Many people believe that great debaters are born with exceptional speaking skills. In reality, successful debaters rely on mental frameworks, preparation habits, and strategic thinking methods that help them create arguments quickly. The good news? You can learn these techniques too. In this article, we'll expl

Many parents want their children to speak confidently, whether in the classroom, during presentations, or in everyday conversations. Yet confidence doesn't appear overnight. Like any skill, effective communication develops through practice, encouragement, and the right environment. The good news is that parents play a powerful role in helping children become confident speakers. By creating opportunities for meaningful conversations, encouraging self-expression, and supporting

A strong argument can impress judges and audiences, but great debaters understand that debates are also about responding to opposing viewpoints. Rebuttal is one of the most powerful skills in competitive debating because it demonstrates critical thinking, active listening, and analytical ability. What Is a Rebuttal? A rebuttal is a response to an opponent's argument. Its purpose is to show why the opposing argument is flawed, incomplete, exaggerated, or less convincing than y

Many students wonder why they need to study events that happened hundreds or even thousands of years ago. The truth is that history helps us understand how our modern world came to be. Every society, government, invention, and cultural tradition has been shaped by historical events. Learning history allows students to see the connections between past decisions and present-day realities. It teaches them how people solved problems, overcame challenges, and adapted to changing c

Summer is often seen as a time for relaxation, exploration, and personal growth. While many students look forward to a break from schoolwork, summer also provides a wonderful opportunity to discover books that inspire curiosity and imagination. One novel that consistently stands out among educators, parents, and young readers is Where the Red Fern Grows. Written by Wilson Rawls, this classic coming-of-age story has touched generations of readers through its powerful themes of

Every year, thousands of ambitious students from around the world participate in the prestigious John Locke Essay Competition, an opportunity to showcase their critical thinking, research skills, and academic writing. This year's competition was announced early, and our students had several months to research, write, revise, and submit an original essay in response to one of the competition's challenging questions. For students enrolled in our 14-week John Locke Essay Course,

Summer debate tournaments are happening all over the world, bringing together students from different schools, ages, countries, and experience levels. For new debaters, these tournaments can feel exciting, challenging, and even a little overwhelming. This article is especially for beginners who are just starting their debate journey and want to improve round by round. One of the biggest mistakes new debaters make is focusing only on the result. Of course, getting first or sec

Summer break is a time for children to relax, recharge, and explore new interests. However, many parents also worry about the “summer slide,” the loss of academic skills and learning habits that can happen during long school breaks. The good news is that summer learning does not have to feel like school. In fact, the most effective summer programs combine education, creativity, and fun. This is why online summer camps have become increasingly popular for students from Grade 1

Learning how to write a story using the hero’s journey can take your storytelling to the next level. This powerful pattern appears in some of the most famous stories of all time, from magical fairy tales to blockbuster films. Why the Hero’s Journey Works So Well The hero’s journey has stood the test of time because it feels deeply human. At some point, everyone faces fear, chases success, hits obstacles, and grows through the struggle. This pattern connects with readers becau

The April 2026 Public Forum topic asks students to debate the following resolution: The United States should eliminate the President’s authority to deploy military forces abroad without Congressional approval. On the surface, this sounds like a debate about government procedure. But once you look more closely, it becomes clear that the topic is really about something much bigger. It asks who should have the power to make one of the most serious decisions a country can make:

Disagreements are everywhere. Students argue about school rules, homework policies, social issues, sports teams, and even what should be allowed on social media. Sometimes these disagreements feel calm and thoughtful. Other times, they turn tense, emotional, or even hostile. When people stop listening and start labeling each other, communication breaks down. We live in a polarized world, which means that people often feel pushed into opposite sides with little space in betwee

Every once in a while, a Public Forum resolution feels less like an academic exercise and more like a conversation already happening outside the debate room. Sports betting is no longer confined to casinos or occasional trips to Las Vegas. It appears on smartphones during live games, in advertisements between plays, and in conversations among friends watching sports together. What was once niche has become mainstream, and regulation has struggled to keep pace. Our resolution

Many students believe that clear writing comes from using big words or sounding sophisticated. In reality, some of the clearest and most powerful writing uses simple language, careful structure, and an invisible guiding voice that helps the reader follow every step of the argument. This guiding voice is often called the hidden language of writing. You may not notice it when you read a strong essay, but you immediately feel its absence when writing becomes confusing. What Is t

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