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

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

Grace is a passionate teacher with over a decade of experience in public speaking and debate, ready to help students find their voice and shine. A graduate of the University of Utah, she competed with the John R. Park Debate Society while studying communication, anthropology, and Spanish. Upon graduation from the University of Utah, Grace ended her collegiate debate career with more final round appearances during the regular competition season than any other competitor in the

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...

Meet Teacher Jordan, a dynamic debate educator with an impressive background in competitive debating. As the captain of the Georgetown Debate Union, he led his team to victory in the Qatar Universities Debate League and has been a vital part of public discussions at Hamad Bin Khalifa University. He even represented Georgetown at the European Universities Debate Championship, earning the title of #1 speaker in Qatar. What sparked your interest in debate, and what was your firs

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

Is AI Writing Cheating? Let’s Talk About Plagiarism! Using AI to write essays or speeches can cause problems if you’re not careful. One big concern is plagiarism—taking someone else's work and calling it your own. If AI-generated content is used without giving credit, it’s hard to say who really created the work. This confusion can make it easy to cheat, especially in school projects. Why Building Skills Is So Important At ThinkTalk, we believe it’s super important for stud

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

Teacher Chase joins us as an experienced and passionate teacher. He teaches Public Speaking, A3000, and other courses and has a special passion for teaching writing. What inspired you to become a teacher? I became a teacher because of my lifelong curiosity about the world and my love for learning. Since childhood, I have always asked ‘why’ and ‘how’, even when answers were elusive. As a teacher, I aim to promote a similar curiosity with my students. Asking questions is vital

In a globalized world, learning a second language is more than just a valuable skill—it’s a path to more diverse perspectives, improved cognitive abilities, and greater career opportunities. The New York Times Reading Course illustrates the lasting benefits through engaging content and real-world examples, demonstrating how language learning can transform young lives. How the Course Boosts Reading and Writing Skills The New York Times Reading Course has greatly improved stude

Teacher Brandon joins us as an accomplished debate coach. He and has a long record of coaching debaters. Let's get to know him more! Can you introduce yourself? My name is Brandon. I have been teaching since 2016. My first teaching job was at Hofstra University, I was the assistant forensics coach there, while I was in graduate school. When I left Hofstra, I went to Cornell and acted as the speech director - teaching argumentation and debate. I also got a master’s in global

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

Public speaking is a skill that holds immense power. Whether delivering a persuasive presentation, engaging in a lively debate, or...