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.

Tentative Schedule & Lecture Information

(Each session is scheduled to last 3 hours)

Sunday

Evening Session
1. Topic Analysis Lecture
2. Diagnostic Activities (Lab Placement)

Monday

Morning Session
1. Flowing Drills (All)
2. Practice Round (All)
3. Lab Announcement/ Lab Assignments (Split Beginner/Advanced)

Afternoon Session (All students split into beginner or advanced lab)
1. Case Construction Lecture
2. Case Construction

Evening Session (All students split into beginner or advanced lab)
1. Case Construction
2. Block Writing
3. Advanced Reading Discussion (Advanced Lab Only)

Tuesday

Morning Session (All students split into beginner or advanced lab)
1. Lecture Series Block #1
2. Lecture Series Block #2
3. Lecture Series Block #3

Afternoon Session (All students together)
1. Cross-Examination Lecture
2. Cross-Examination Drills
3. Cross-Examination Drills (Switch Role)

Evening Session (All students split into beginner or advanced lab)
1. Round 1
2. Round 2
3. Round Eval/Breakdown Assignment & Discussion (Beginner Lab Only)/

Advanced Reading Discussion (Advanced Lab Only)

Wednesday

Morning Session (All students split into beginner or advanced lab)
1. Start/Stop Rounds/Drills
2. Lecture Series Block #2
3. Lecture Series Block #3

Afternoon Session (All students split into beginner or advanced lab)
1. Lecture Series Block #4
2. Lecture Series Block #5
3. Lecture Series Block #6

Evening Session (All students split into beginner or advanced lab)
1. Round 3
2. Round 4
3. Round Eval/Breakdown Assignment & Discussion (Beginner Lab Only)

Advanced Reading Discussion (Advanced Lab Only)

Thursday

Morning Session (All students split into beginner or advanced lab)
1. Start/Stop Rounds/Drills
2. Lecture Series Block #7
3. Lecture Series Block #8

Afternoon Session (All students split into beginner or advanced lab)
1. Lecture Series Block #9
2. Lecture Series Block #10
3. Lecture Series Block #11

Evening Session (All students split into beginner or advanced lab)
1. Round 5
2. Round 6
3. Round Eval/Breakdown Assignment & Discussion (Beginner Lab Only)

Advanced Reading Discussion (Advanced Lab Only)

Friday

Morning Session (All students split into beginner or advanced lab)
1. Round 7
2. Round 8

Afternoon Session (All students together)
Final Demonstration Round

Lecture Information

Beginner Lectures
1. Rebuttal Approaches
2. Creating Arguments
3. Debating the Value & Criterion/Standard
4. Weighing & Voters
5. Justice
6. Social Contract
7. Morality
8. Expanding Knowledge/Philosophy/Argumentation
9. Lab Leader Choice
10. Lab Leader Choice
11. Lab Leader Choice

Advanced Lectures
1. Debating the Standard
2. Issue Selection
3. Economics & Government
4. Social Contract & Property Rights
5. Major Philosophical Positions
6. Topicality, Kritik & Counterplan Theory
7. International Relations & Foreign Policy
8. Student Choice
9. Student Choice
10. Student Choice
11. Student Choice