The Championship Debate Group has long recognized that students of all backgrounds and interests want to attend a summer debate program to prepare them for the competitive season that faces them. We also recognize that many students want to attend a one week institute that offers extensive practice, seminars on theory and technique, discussions on the newest evolutions in policy debate, and to go home with a lot of useful evidence that they will need for the upcoming season. We also want to offer an institute where public speaking plays a major part in the curriculum. To meet this need, TCDG offers one-week institutes in Policy and Lincoln-Douglas debate.

These institutes offer the best way that any student can prepare to compete in the University Interscholastic League tournaments in Texas. This is also a great place for students who want to sharpen their public speaking skills in a fun, one-week experience. While the model we emphasize employs Policy and Lincoln-Douglas debate, these institutes will teach all of the skills necessary to excel in Public Forum debate and Student Congress as well. TCDG prides itself on quality instruction and we very proud of the state and national championships our students have accomplished after leaving the institute. But, we also take great satisfaction that students will leave our institute excited to debate in the fall and they will have acquired leadership skills that will translate into practical actions that will help other members of their team. Students will also go home understanding how they can help their teachers or sponsors in positive and productive ways and make life for their coaches much easier.

I shouldn’t have waited until my senior year to attend. This place was amazing, lessons and people included. – Former Student

We have assembled an outstanding staff of University Interscholastic League and Texas Forensic Association coaches who have won UIL State championships over many years. We have three additional guest lecturers who will share their insights into winning the UIL State Championships and the National Forensic League national championships. We offer seminars aimed at varsity as well as novice debaters. We believe that in one week we can improve the knowledge and skills of each debater giving them the tools they need to win district and state championships.

Sample One-Week CX Institute Schedule

There will be two levels of lectures.

Morning Lectures – 9:00-12:00
Afternoon Labs – 1:30-4:30
Night Rounds – 6:00-9:00

We should get in two rounds each night. The first two nights will be 5-3-1 rounds that judges can stop and go.

Sunday

Night—Lecture: Topic Analysis
Diagnostic Placement Quiz to appropriately adapt lectures

Monday

Morning—Lecture and Modeling
Topicality
Aff Cases Intro
Afternoon Labs
Cases Aff
On-Case Neg
Topicality Frontlines and Answers
Night (2 rounds)
5-3-1 Rounds: Case, Topicality

Tuesday

Morning—Lecture and Modeling
Disadvantages
Counterplans
Afternoon Labs
Group Drills on Disadvantages and CPs
Night (2 rounds)
5-3-1 Rounds: Disadvantages and CPs

Wednesday

Morning—Lecture and Modeling
Kritiks
Evidence Analysis
Afternoon Labs—Writing Frontlines, Speaking Drills
Night (2 rounds)
Full Rounds

Thursday

Morning— Lecture
Cross Examination
On-Case
Negative Positions
Kritikal Affs
Whatever Else
Afternoon—(2 rounds) Full Rounds
Night—(2 rounds) Full Rounds

Friday

Morning—(2 rounds) Full Rounds
Afternoon—Final Round