High School Junior Varsity Public Forum Debate

14-Week Course for High School Students

Course Overview

This course is designed for high school debaters with some experience who are ready to sharpen their skills and compete at the Junior Varsity level in Public Forum. Over 14 weeks, students will move beyond the basics and into the strategic side of debate — learning how to flow rounds efficiently, weigh arguments at a higher level, and collaborate effectively with a partner to win.

What Students Will Learn

Students will deepen their understanding of Public Forum round structure, speaker roles, and what judges prioritize when evaluating a round. The course builds strong research skills including cutting cards, evaluating source credibility, and organizing evidence into comprehensive digital blockfiles. Students will also learn how to anticipate opposing frameworks, prepare strategic responses, and adapt their approach mid-round.

Skills Developed

This course emphasizes competitive readiness through targeted drills, practice rounds, and post-round analysis. Students will refine their flowing techniques, practice weighing arguments and impacts under time pressure, and develop the strategic coordination that sets successful debate partnerships apart. Along the way, they'll strengthen their ability to engage critically with current events and construct persuasive, evidence-based positions that hold up under cross-examination.

Course Outcome

By the end of the course, students will be prepared to compete confidently at tournaments and begin positioning themselves for Varsity-level competition. They will leave with polished research habits, sharper strategic thinking, stronger rebuttal skills, and the ability to self-evaluate their performance to set meaningful goals for continued growth.