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

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

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

Imagine this: the Prime Minister (PM) finishes their opening speech, defining the debate in a way that feels just a little too convenient for their side. As the Leader of the Opposition (LO), you sit there thinking, Wait a second, that doesn’t seem fair!  Here’s the good news—calling out and challenging the PM’s interpretation is not just your right but one of your most powerful tools in British Parliamentary (BP) debate! Let’s break down how to do it with confidence, clarity

When shy students step into a debate club, they often come with hesitations. What if I say something wrong? What if everyone laughs? It’s...

Getting Started – Why Your PM Speech is the Key to Success As the Prime Minister (PM) speaker, you’re the first one up for your team! This means it’s your job to set the stage, introduce your team’s plan, and make sure everyone understands what the debate’s all about. To do this, there are a few key steps you’ll need to cover: define important terms, explain what’s happening now, identify the problem, and present your team’s solution, also called the “model.” Step 1: Define t

The ESDP Fall 2024 Public Speaking Crash Course offers a detailed approach to developing public speaking skills, crucial for excelling in the upcoming tournament. This course provides students with the tools and techniques needed to craft and deliver powerful speeches, ensuring they stand out in a competitive environment. Why Structure Matters The approach to a successful speech begins with selecting a captivating topic. Choosing a subject that interests both the student and

If you are looking for an exceptional program to enhance your child's English proficiency while also developing their critical and creative thinking skills, look no further than ESDP: English Speech and Debate Pentathlon! This competition is designed to challenge and inspire young minds, fostering comprehensive growth in communication and cognitive abilities. Enhancing English Proficiency Participating in the ESDP competition is a powerful way of improving your child's comman

Debating, with its diverse formats and rigorous intellectual demands, offers a unique educational experience. British Parliamentary (BP) Debating stands out as a widely embraced and challenging format. This style, influenced by the actual proceedings of the UK Parliament, is intellectually stimulating and instrumental in building a range of valuable skills for students. Structure of British Parliamentary Debating British Parliamentary (BP) debating is a format that consists o

Debate is an essential educational tool that significantly enhances students' critical thinking, public speaking, and comprehensive research abilities. Engaging in structured debate formats allows students to explore diverse perspectives, articulate their ideas effectively, and develop a keen sense of empathy and understanding. This article delves into the significance of debate in education and provides an overview of three prominent debate formats: Lincoln-Douglas, Public F

Public Forum (PF) debate is an accessible and engaging format designed to help students develop critical thinking, public speaking, and research skills. Our Public Forum Camp is specifically tailored for beginners who are eager to build a solid foundation in PF debate. Through interactive lessons, practical exercises, and daily debates on official PF topics for 2023 and 2024, students will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in this form of debate. Course Overvie

The World Scholars Cup (WSC) is one of the most prestigious competitions for children.  History  The World Scholars Cup, founded by Daniel Berdichevsky, started in Seoul, Korea. The competition aimed to be different from traditional competitions and conferences - a celebration of the joy of learning, a tournament that was as rewarding for the team that came in last as the team that came in first. It has grown to reach more than ten thousand students in multiple countries like

The aspiration for any debater is to break on to the world stage. Steps In Making Your Major Tournament Worth It Step 1: Preparation for...

Exploring the art of debate shows its critical role in the development of effective communication and persuasion skills. Within the realm...