Debate

PAOLA HIGH SCHOOL
PANTHER DEBATE

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Debate is a first semester class which studies argumentation and competitive debate. It is a co-curricular class, which means that even though this is a class, it is also an extra-curricular activity falling under the Kansas State High School Activities Association. This course consists of studying the National High School Debate Resolution, classroom debate and discussion, and preparation for and and participation in high school debate tournaments. Debate requires teamwork, discipline, the willingness to compete, a high level of reading comprehension, a certain degree of intellectual curiosity and ability, and it requires a considerable amount of independent reading on the current topic. Students will study and put into practice research skills, public speaking skills, logic, argumentation and persuasion, organization, and case construction.

The PHS Debate Program is rich in tradition:

Panther Debate is a group of students who learn and strengthen their skills of reasoning, argumentation, and persuasion. Secondary goals include acquiring shiny trophies, acquiring shiny medals, traveling to dozens of other Kansas high schools, indoctrinating one another, meeting the smartest young people in the state, inflating our egos, dressing to kill, and using stopwatches.