When do practices meet?

 

Competitive Practice:   every Wednesday from 3:00-5:15pm in Room 205

Instructional practice:  once a week to help with case and bill writing (TBA)

 

What kinds of practices are there?

 

There are two kinds of practices:  Competitive and Instructional

 

Competitive:  These practices meet once a week from October to April and attendance at each one is required.

During this time, you will engage in debate against your fellow teammates. 

These mock debates provide a chance to test out strategies, persuasion, and speaking skills. 

Most of these practices will focus on the actual act of debating.

 

Instructional:  These practices meet once a week from October to April, but you only have to attend one per month.

During this time, you will engage in the research and composition of your cases (pro, con, aff, neg). 

All of the rules, regulations, requirements, and expectations of debate will be discussed. 

This focused instructional period will provide you with the necessary background to formidably debate.

 

Do I have to attend every practice?

 

It depends how meaningful you would like your Debate experience to be.

Just like anything (school, water polo, math team, etc.), the more you practice, the better you become. 

If you have other priorities that you hold above Debate, we completely understand. 

 

Please know that students that do not attend all of the practices within a given month will not enjoy an opportunity to compete;

however, you may still join us to improve your speaking, arguing, and researching skills.

 

Coaches will be at all practices.

We need you to attend all weekly Competitive Practices (four a month),

and one Instructional Practice (once a month).

 

We also understand that there are extenuating circumstances. 

For the student that demonstrates great dedication and responsibility, we will examine, on an individual basis, special scheduling

(i.e. if you need to miss for a major athletic or academic activity OR for a personal / family emergency).

 

 

So can I put DEBATE on my college résumé if I don’t go to practice?

 

Colleges frequently call to verify a student’s level of participation in an academic activity. 

If you do not truly participate (i.e. you seldom attend practices / events),

I cannot give you a solid recommendation

(which, by the way, can often be the deciding factor for some colleges – especially when ACT / SAT / GPA is equal).

 

Do I have to attend every event?

 

All students, except seniors with at least one year of experience, must participate in both Congressional and Lincoln-Douglas events. 

 

Congress only meets once a month for two days (on a Friday night / Saturday morning-afternoon),

and we have the entire schedule at the beginning of the year (September-April). 

 

Lincoln-Douglas typically meets twice a month (just for a Saturday morning-afternoon),

and tournaments appear within the month. 

 

Practices are most important!  If you cannot attend a tournament, it is OK

(please see Varsity Status for more information).