Speech and Debate Sounding Off

February 26, 2016

By Randi Miick, Joshua Langeliers,Trinity Mathis  

 

Speech and Debate is a class and a club that you can take here at Phoenix High School. It is an academic activity typically available to students in middle school, high school, and/or college. Similar to athletic sports, speech and debate activities are challenging, competitive in nature, and require regular practice, coaching, dedication, and hard work.

 

There are different kinds of debates and speeches for Speech and Debate. There is the single speech where you are on your own and doing a speech about whatever your topic is. After you give your speech there will be a mandatory 2 minute questioning period where the class will ask you questions on your speech and write down the information on what you said. Then when the questioning period is done you can go back to your seat and take a breather. But when you leave, the class has the opportunity to do a rebuttal either against (negation) to prove that your view on your speech is not the best and that their side is better, or in support (affirmation) to show the class that your side of the speech is the best view.

 

But then there is the team vs. team debate. Now this one is a little different from the single speech and debate. This one includes a team of two people who are either on the affirmation side or a team on the negation side who go head-to-head and debate which side of their topic is better. Here’s an example: A teacher makes two students partners – let’s call them team A – then gives them a list of debatable topics. They chose to do a speech on the resolution of gun control. Now another pair of partners -we’ll call them team B – want to do the same topic but in negation. Now these teams will go against each other in a debate and try to convince their class that their side is better.  

Speech and Debate will also be having competitions in the future. The dates are March 2nd, March 5th, and April 2nd. The Competition will be held at North Medford HIgh School and Grants Pass High School. So if you can, come and support the students  representing Phoenix High School at Speech and Debate.

Be the first to comment on "Speech and Debate Sounding Off"

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published.


*