Arts Department

Essential Knowledge and Skills

Student in Debate focus on becoming educated and skilled speakers. There are many types of speeches and debate events that students will explore and develop. Speech and Debate students will work to develop technical speaking skills as well as essential speaking techniques to allow them to be comfortable public speaking. Speech and Debate students in this class are automatically enrolled into the Speech and Debate team. Attending tournaments is mandatory and an aspect of each student’s grade.

Indicators of Student Learning

Upon the completion of this course, students will:

Speaking Ability

• Students will be able to confidently approach any of the 12 Speech and Debate events with purpose and understanding through practice, research and competing.

• Students will gain the ability to speak for longer amounts of time as the year progresses.

• Students will develop the ability to speak loudly, clearly and effectively on worldly topics.

Arguments

• Students in this course will be able to form an argument for any topic given to them following a three-step format.

• Students will know how to corrupt an opponent’s argument using factual references and breaking down an opponent’s offensives.

• Students will be able to argue in a range of ways based on events, provided information and style.

Oral Language

• Speak with a command of Standard English conventions

• Deliver focused and coherent presentations of their own which convey clear and distinct perspectives with solid reasoning.

• Deliver oral response to topics of choice.

• Recite speeches with attention to performance details in order to achieve clarity and aesthetic effect, and to demonstrate understanding.

Technology

• Collaborate with peers to use technology to compile and produce projects and speeches.

• Create and give multi-media presentations

Assessments

Upon the completion of this course, students will:

• Demonstrate increased competency in speech creating and delivery by presenting for longer periods of time, more serious speeches, and integrating research into passionate speeches.

• Will be able to speak on any time impromptu for at least three minutes.

• Students will be able to identify minute lengths in speeches.

• Students will be comfortable speaking in front of a group of peers consistently.