About Course
Advanced Track
For students with some debate experience ready to level up
- Weekly live sessions (Fridays 11:15am-12:15pm EST)
- Access to all session recordings
- Refresher on Fundamentals
- Signposting
- Offensive vs. Defensive Argumentation
- Rebuttal Strategies
- Time to Win: Managing the Clock
- Crossfire/Cross-Examination Techniques
- Speaking to the Judge: How to weigh impacts effectively
- Final Focus Strategies
- Mini-Debate Round
- Advance notice & Preparation for the official September/October Public Forum Debate topic (released early August)
- Saturday office hours
Course Content
Week 1: Warm-Up & Offense vs. Defense
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Warm-Up: Refresher on Fundamentals
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Signposting
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Understanding what makes an argument offensive
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Understanding what makes an argument defensive
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When and how to use each type of argument
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Practice spotting offensive and defensive arguments in action
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Research Essentials
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Research Essentials
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Determining a source’s reliability
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What makes a strong “card”
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Apply It: Research the official Sept./Oct. PF Topic
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Using research ethically in-round
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Apply It: Create your own offensive and defensive arguments on an official 2025/26 Public Forum topic