What is debate? When you hear the word debate, you may imagine men in wigs arguing about property rights. Maybe you conjure an image of presidential candidates on a stage or see an argument between a parent and child over screen time. 

For us, we see students engaging in thoughtful discussions, strengthening their critical thinking skills, and most importantly, having fun. Let’s dive into what debate class is and why your student should give it a try.

What’s a debate class like? 

Our curriculum was developed with active learning at its core. The method is an evidence-backed approach that keeps students engaged while reinforcing and building on skills from class to class. Here is a look at what an average introduction session for middle schoolers might look like. 

Engaging Lesson on Argument Structure 

Our expert coach would begin with a short lecture on the anatomy of an argument. Walking students through the CWI method: claim, warrant, and impact. 

• Claim: The assertion.
• Warrant: Why the assertion is true. 
• Impact: Why the assertion matters.

Then, our coach would provide an example. For instance, if we were debating whether dogs are better than cats:

• Claim: Dogs develop stronger connections with their owners. 
• Warrant: Dogs need to be walked which means humans spend more time with their dog and develop a stronger bond.  
• Impact: A stronger connection between humans and pets increases the enjoyment of having the animal. 

Active Learning, Through Practice

After explaining the concept and providing a tangible example our coach will then instruct students to attempt it for themselves. In this case, students would take 10 minutes to form their own arguments and then present the information to the class. 

Reinforcing the Lesson and Applying it to the World

For homework, students would be asked to research and develop arguments on whether schools should give homework. This final stage reinforces the lesson taught in class and requires them to exercise their research skills. 

What are the benefits of Middle School and High School Debate? 

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Build World Knowledge 

According to a study from the University of Virginia, students who develop a wide breadth and depth of knowledge receive “one of the largest” positive effects in educational attainment. From current events to complex policy issues, debate is a uniquely strong vehicle to expose students to a wide range of topics.

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Build Confidence in Public Speaking

Does your student get nervous speaking in front of others? They are not alone. Debate class helps students become more comfortable and confident when expressing their ideas. In fact, a recent study found debate boosts self-esteem by 15%. 

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Develop Critical Thinking Skills

No matter the job, critical thinking is an essential skill, and that is what debate is all about. Students learn to see both sides of an issue, find weaknesses in arguments, and build strong cases for their ideas. That’s why research shows debate increases analytical thinking by 87%.

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Boost Academic Performance

Do you want your child to gain “68% of a full year of ninth-grade learning?” Then debate is the program for you. Our program isn’t rote memorization and its benefits aren’t contained to a specific subject. The activity teaches students how to find answers and develop schemas to understand and apply information across disciplines. 

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Increase SAT & ACT Scores By Over 100 Points

A high SAT or ACT score is critical for acceptance to a prestigious college. Researchers have found participation in debate leads to a 114.93 increase in overall SAT scores. 

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How to get started

You have heard about our classes and seen the evidence of debate’s transformative ability. Now you are wondering how to sign up.  Go to our registration page, and select a class! 

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How to contact us

If you read this article and want to know more about Civic Debate Academy simply email us at hello@cdadebate.com or sign up for a free consultation. 

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