Secondary Curriculum

Odyssey Debate Academy mimics the standardized 2 vs 2 public forum style of debate to prepare debaters for both middle school and high school level competition. The middle school program operates through weekly online classes.

Public forum Debate(6-9th)

Constructive(4 min)

Debaters present their main arguments

Rebuttal(4 min)

Debaters refute their opponents claims while supporting their own.

Summary(3 min)

Debaters summarize their responses and arguments.

Final Focus(2 min)

Debaters focus on why their side should win the round

Persuasive Writing

Our classes focus on constructing cohesive and presentable arguments. Students also focus on systematically responding to arguments.

Expanding upon what students are learning in the classroom, we facilitate formal debates teaching students how to discuss efficiently and in an effective and calm manner.

Public Speaking

Our classes focus on public speaking. Teaching students to articulate their thoughts in an easily understandable manner helps prepare them to discuss and demonstrate knowledge in the classroom. Classes run speaking drills to practice diction, rhythm, and tone. Learning these skills are essential to building confidence in the presenting area.

Research

Students research deeply into both the pro and con side of a topic. They learn to evaluate and utilize many different sources to create their own unique arguments. Topics are drawn from the current high school and middle school national circuit topics.

Course Structure

Lessons are taught through Zoom twice a week for 8 weeks(16 sessions). Each session is 90 minutes, where instructors start from the basics of debate and leave debaters at a nationally competitive level. Instructors stay available to students outside of class, answering any pertinent questions. Additionally, students are expected to research and write arguments outside of class time.

Registration is organized by experience level: Novice or Varsity. In Novice classes, students learn the fundamentals of speaking, research, and the basics of competitive debate. In Varsity, students master public speaking and refine their research and analytical skills to excel in competition.

Students registering for the first time should start as Novice, then continue into Varsity.

Novice Curriculum:

Week(1-2)

Students learn about public forum debate and overall argument writing techniques. They practice basic speaking skills and become more comfortable with debate as a whole.

Week(3-4)

Students dive into a new topic, chosen by the National Speech and Debate Association. Students gain an understanding about both the Pro and Con sides of the topic and get ready to debate both sides.

Week(5-6)

Students practice speaking drills and debate amongst their peers on the new topic and prepare for upcoming tournaments. Students continue refining their arguments going deeper into the topic.

Week(7-8)

Students prepare to debate on the middle school national circuit (online) at tournaments run by prominent institutions like Georgetown University. Students also continue speaking drills.

To be eligible for Online classes a student must meet these requirements:

Be in grades 6-9
Have consistent access to a computer and the internet
Be prepared to work outside of class time on homework