Debate Team
Debate Team is a highly competitive academic team with rigorous time commitments from students. The team will be made of roughly 30 students, last year there were over 100 applicants. Students will practice once per week (usually Wednesday) and then usually compete about once per month on either a Friday or Saturday. Churchill was the first San Juan Middle School to form a team!
Churchill routinely takes first or second at competitions and has established itself as a debate powerhouse for the region and state. Please stay tuned to BTV for more info about this year's season.
Coach: Mrs. Ray
Debate Tryouts
Tryouts for the Churchill Debate team will take place in the middle of September and will run for approximately two weeks. Students will sign up in room F2 for the date they will try out. Dates will be communicated on BTV.
Tryouts Schedule:
Tryout schedule will be emailed out from team coaches. General dates will be given on BTV.
Due to conflicts with practice, preparation, and competitions, students who compete in Debate will not be able to compete on other academic teams, including Science Olympiad, Quiz Bowl, Science Bowl, and History Day.
Debate Tryouts
You will research and prepare an argumentative speech for ONE of the following debate topics, your choice. You will choose whether you are arguing on the proposition or opposition side of the argument.
1. The U.S. government should provide wireless internet to everyone.
2. School districts in the U.S. should adopt a 4-day school week.
You will argue the topic for 3 minutes in front of a judge. Here are some tips to keep in mind. While it is okay to use notes during your argument, be sure to tell us your information instead of reading it from a prepared speech. Be sure to cite evidence to support your argument. Judges look for how the speaker structures their narrative, their introduction and conclusion are persuasive, their arguments are easy to follow, with sources and evidence. Judges also look for good eye contact and style of delivery. Whether you choose the proposition or opposition, be passionate in your argument! Convince the judge that you are right!
The link below is a sample Public Forum (2-person team) debate. While this debate is in-person, some of our debates may be virtual this year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PFc9Pogz94
This link is a guide to public speaking.
http://hspdp.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/public-speaking-v1-aug08.pdf
Applications for tryouts may be picked up in room F2. The application is due to room F2 by Friday, September 15, at 3:00pm. Late applications will NOT be accepted. Students will sign up in room F2 for the day they will try out.
Please email Ms. Ray at Lray@sanjuan.edu if you have any questions.