September 16 - December 13, 2024
Competitive Speech & Debate
BASIS Independent Chelsea • 556 West 22nd Street N/A Manhattan, NY 10003 Organized by BASIS Independent Manhattan
Registration closed.
About this event
Following our victory in the championship last school year, DEDIMUS POTESTATEM is dedicated to expanding our middle school wildcat speech & debate program. This program's main goal is to equip students with the skills needed for formal and informal presentations. Participants will learn how to construct and deliver arguments and how to inform, persuade, and motivate an audience in numerous ways. According to the ESU, debate is a natural fit for middle and high school education, with studies and common sense supporting its benefits. Debate helps to develop digital literacy and multimedia research skills, encourages critical thinking and broader perspectives, improves public speaking abilities, boosts confidence, teaches effective listening, and strengthens civic discourse. The beginner debate class will run for one hour and will focus on the fundamentals of debate. However, the advanced competitive debate class will be an hour and a half long and concentrate on more advanced material and necessary preparation for tournaments. Students who did not participate in competitions last year will need to audition for the advanced competitive class. Those without any prior debate experience will be required to join the beginner class. After completing one term of beginner debate, they will have the opportunity to join the advanced competitive team.