LD Training Beginning Next Week

This fall we're offering a free online Lincoln-Douglas value debate training class.  Each week I'll post a brief description of a lesson, a link to a video lecture, and a homework assignment.  If you are working through these lectures as a class, I would strongly encourage you to come up with exercises that allow you to practice the skills discussed in the various videos.  Please share any exercises or drills you found helpful in learning this materials by leaving a comment or contacting us by email.

This set of videos is by no means an appropriate alternative to joining a debate club.  You'll miss out on coaching and you won't be able to ask questions and get quick feedback.  In addition, these videos are just one piece of what is a much bigger puzzle than simply learning the technical steps of a debate round.  The art of debate isn't something you're going to pick up just watching this video, so I encourage you to find a local club or talk to your teachers about starting one!

If you would like a copy of the outlines for these lectures, please visit our website and follow the instructions for contacting us to request the outlines.  All these materials are completely free.  Yup, they are free!  All we ask is that you do not distribute them without our permission.  This helps us know the popularity of these materials and also allows us to ensure students do not gain access to the instructor materials.

These videos are focused on beginning Lincoln-Douglas value debate and the material is applicable to most high school forensics leagues.  These videos have been used be students in the United States and around the globe to learn and hone their debate skills in various leagues including the National Forensics League (NFL), National Catholic Forensics League (NCFL), Urban Debate League (UDL), the University Interscholastic League (UIL), Home School Speech and Debate (STOA), and the National Christian Forensics and Communications Association (NCFCA).  In particular, these materials focus on the basics and are not concerned with the unique nature of each of these debate leagues.  Be sure to contact someone from your particular league to ensure you are abiding by both the rules and local practices of your league.

Finally, please comment on the videos and on the blog training posts.  The materials are by no means perfect and your feedback will help us create the most useful tools for students, coaches, and parents.  Let us know if there are video lectures you would like to see added or if there are any homework assignments/drills you think would make this program even better!  Be sure to like us on facebook and follow us on twitter

If you are interested in learning a form of debate other than Lincoln-Douglas value debate, The Great Debate is a wonderful textbook for policy debate written by the teacher in these videos.  The Great Debate provides training in the basics of debate and includes information for debaters who have already learned the fundamentals and are looking for more intermediate level training.  The Great Debate has a teacher's guide (coming soon) which includes lesson plans and additional material for coaches.  For more information about The Great Debate, visit our website.  We also have produced a video training series for Public Forum Debate.  The public forum series is another free resource from The Great Debate