• CCHS logo Welcome to the CCHS Speech and Debate Team!!

     

    This co-curricular activity encourages students to find their voice and speak out on issues that are important to them and to the community.  The students learn critical thinking, research skills, communication skills, knowledge of current events and foster lasting networks.

    For more information, also see National Speech and Debate Assoc (NSDA) website: speechanddebate.org

     
     Debate Topics for 2020-2021:  

     Public Forum:

    (Sept-Oct) The US should enact the Medicare-for-All Act of 2019

    (Nov-Dec) The US should adopt a declaratory nuclear policy of No First Use (NFU)

    (Jan) The NSA should end its surveillance of US citizens and permanent residents

    (Feb) On balance, the benefits of urbanization in West Africa outweighs the harms.

    (Mar) On balance, the benefits of creating US Space Force outweigh the harms.

     

    Lincoln-Douglas:

    (Novice Sept-Oct) Civil disobedience in a democracy is morally justified.

    (Sept-Oct) In the US, voting ought to be compulsory.

    (Nov-Dec) The US ought to provide a Federal Jobs Guarantee (FJG)

    (Jan-Feb) States ought to ban lethal autonomous weapons (LAW)

    (Mar-Apr) US ought to guarantee universal child care.

     

    Sample Congress Docket:

    A Bill to Establish Term Limits for Supreme Court Justices

    A Resolution to Support an Independent Kurdistan

    An Amendment to Restore Democracy

    A Bill to Abolish ICE

    A Bill to Facilitate Protected Status for Hong Kong Residents

     

  • SPEECH

    Speech Events are classified as either Interpretive Events (IE), Platform Events or Limited Prep Events. 

    Interpretive Events are based on published materials, cut down to 10 minute performances:

    Dramatic Interpretation

    Humorous Inperpretation

    Duo Interpretation

    Program Oral Interpretation

    Declamation -9th /10th grade only

    Platform Events include:

    Informative Speaking

    Original Oratory

    Limited Prep Events are events with only 2 to 30 minutes of preparation, prior to delivery:

    Impromptu

    Extemporaneous

  • DEBATE

    Debate Events include:  Lincoln Douglas (LD), Public Forum (PF) and Student Congress.

    Lincoln Douglas debates feature one person on each side.  Propositions of value are debated with the emphasis on developing logical argumentation rather than just accumulation of information. Good debaters construct value-driven cases that combine original analysis with evidence.

    Public Forum debates should be town hall-style debates with "ripped from the headlines" topics, that are usually economic, political or social in nature. These feature teams of two individuals on each side.  Debaters should be rewarded for their ability to explain facts, policies, and issues supported by evidence.

    Student Congress is a mock legislative assembly competition where students debate proposed laws (bills) and resolutions (position statements). "Representatives" deliver 3 minute speeches and are evaluated on their persuasive ablility to convince their fellow representatives and judges, as well as their ability to handle questions.

     

  • ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

    • TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE (click here) 
    • All students are welcome to join, including freshman. Senior novices are not permitted.  Consistent attendance at practices and competitions is expected.  Annual Team Dues $150.
    • Practices take place twice a week, on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 2:45pm to 4:30pm in room 526.
    • Parents are expected to periodically help fulfill the school's judging obligations and to help at the school's tournament.
    • Tournaments-about 15 per year; usually on Saturdays. Mostly local, with a handful of national circuit tournaments.  Students are expected to compete once a month.