Argyle High SchoolDebate

Jessica Reynolds, Debate Coach

jreynolds@argyleisd.com

940-262-7777 ext 2614

Conference: 7th period

Tutoring timesTuesday & Thursday after school, 3:50- 4:30 pm

Class Rules:Respect Yourself & Others

Respect the Space

Respect the Process

Be On Time

NO GUM or FOOD allowed

Course Overview:According to the Journal of the American Forensic Association, "The literature suggests that

debaters benefit in at least three areas. First, forensic competition improves the students'

communication skills. Second, forensics provides a unique educational experience because of

the way it promotes depth of study, complex analysis, and focused critical thinking. Third,

forensics offers excellent pre-professional preparation."

COURSE DESCRIPTION:Controversial issues arise in aspects of personal, social, public, and professional life in modem

society. Debate and argumentation are widely used to make decisions and reduce conflict.

Students who develop skills in argumentation and debate become interested in current issues,

develop sound critical thinking, and sharpen communication skills. They acquire life-long skills

for intelligently approaching controversial issues and clashes of opinion. Students learn that

they can disagree without being disagreeable. Since ethos is the highest form of proof, students

will learn to be ethical researchers, writers and competitors. I also want students to develop an

appreciation of the art of communication as well as to respect the power of the spoken word.

Students in debate will choose a debate focus (policy cross-examination or Lincoln Douglas) in

which to concentrate and compete. In addition, they will continue to develop their skills and

expertise in the many areas of competitive debate such as extemporaneous speaking, original

oratory, impromptu speaking, parliamentary debate, and student congress. TOURNAMENT COMPETITION IS REQUIRED IN THIS CLASS!!This course is designed to prepare students to compete in University Interscholastic (UIL)

debate and extemporaneous speaking contests. Competitive events such as original oration,

student Congress, parliamentary debate, impromptu speaking, debate etc.

Supplies:

1. Legal Pads

2. Pens and Pencils

3. Highlighters

4. Flash Drive

5. Dress Clothes (Please see dress code section)

CLASS REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS:The student is expected to work hard and to TRY to the best of his/her ability. Debate is a

student performance-based, competition preparation class.

1. Class participation and performance

2. Maintain eligibility! You must be passing your class at all times to be able to compete.

If you do not you will be removed from the team.

3. Tournament competition! We will attend one tournament at a month to help prepare us

for UIL. You will be required to attend the tournament we go to as a team you will be

required to attend one on your own.

4. Be Prepared! If your case is not ready by the Thursday before the tournament you will

not be allowed to go and will have to make it up on your own time.

5. Be Respectful at all times! We will be traveling and representing our school. It is

extremely important that you are behaving professionally at all times. If a behavior

problem happens it could result in being removed from the team.

DRESS CODE:

You must dress professionally for tournaments. This means a blue, black, or grey suit with a

button up shirt and a tie. Ties should be a solid color or have a subtle pattern. If you do not own

a suit please try to get one by the end of October. Girls skirts/dresses should be to the knee. If

they have a slit, the slit should go no higher than a post-it note above the knee. Girls do not have

to wear button-up shirts if they have a nice professional looking blouse. NO CLEAVAGE! Girls

still must wear a blazer. If they are wearing a skirt they should also be wearing hose. Off black

hose are preferred. You will be wearing your shoes all day, so I would recommend comfortable

flats and not heels. You will not be allowed to compete if you are not in dress code. Below is a

great example of professional dress: