Debate

Fall Semester

Unit Title

Foundations of Debate

Current Events Analysis

Congress Debate

Prose and Poetry

(optional)

Time

3-4 weeks

3-4 weeks

4-5 weeks

3-4 weeks

Understandings

(Depth and complexity)

Argumentation is a structured, ethical process for analyzing controversy and making decisions.

(Ethics; Language of the Discipline)

Debate functions as a democratic tool for examining competing values and policies.

(Multiple Perspectives; Over Time)

Clear claims, precise definitions, and logical reasoning are foundational to all debate formats.

(Rules; Trends)

Effective speaking and listening are reciprocal skills developed through deliberate practice.

(Patterns)

Current events debates requires continuous research and evaluation of evolving evidence.

(Over Time)

Understanding context and stakeholder strengthens argumentative relevance.

(Multiple Perspectives)

Credible sources and synthesis are essential for informed public discourse.

(Ethics; Details)

Legislative debate prioritizes clash, refutation, and perspective-driven advocacy.

(Multiple Perspectives; Ethics)

Effective Congress speeches balance evidence, analysis, and delivery within time constraints.

(Rules; Big Ideas)

Refutation advances discussion by engaging directly with prior arguments.

(Patterns)

Oral interpretation is an analytical act requiring close reading and thematic insight.

(Language of the Discipline; Patterns)

Performance choices convey interpretation and author’s intent.

(Ethics; Details)

Literature reflects social context and human experience.

(Over Time)

TEKS

Priority TEKS: 1A-C. 2A-D, 5B

Role of Debate, Analysis of Issues, Logic: Reasoning and Fallacies

Priority TEKS: 2C, 6B-C, 10

Analysis of Issues, Proof and Research Standards, Evaluation of arguments

Priority TEKS: 4C-D, 10

Policy, Case Construction, Evaluation

Priority TEKS: 9B,C,D

Delivery

Ongoing TEKS

6A-D, 7A, 8A,-C, 9A-B

6-Proof, 7-Case Construction, 8-Refutation, 9-Delivery

Spring Semester

Unit Title

LD Debate

CX Debate

Persuasive and Informative Speaking

Other Competition Events

Time

4-5 weeks

4-5 weeks

3-4 weeks

4-5 weeks

Understandings

(Depth and complexity)

Value debates converter on moral reasoning and philosophical assumptions.

(Ethics; Across Disciplines)

Frameworks guide how arguments are evaluated and weighed.

(Rules; Trends)

Clash, crystallization and weighing impacts determine ballot outcomes.

(Patterns)

Policy debate evaluates comparative solutions to inherent harms.

(Over Time; Multiple Perspectives)

Strategic division of labor and teamwork are essential to success.

(Big Idea, Unanswered Questions)

Impact calculus determines policy relevance and urgency.

(Patterns; Trends)

Purpose and audience determine speech organization and rhetorical choices.

(Multiple Perspectives; Trends)

Informative speaking prioritizes clarity and accuracy. Persuasive speaking prioritizes advocacy and impact.

(Patterns)

Delivery choices impact message reception. (Unanswered Questions)

World Schools Debate

Public Forum Debate

Original Oratory

Informative Speaking

Poetry and Prose

Dramatic Interpretation

Duo Interpretation

Humorous Interpretation

Program Oral Interpretation

TEKS

Priority TEKS: 3A-I, 7A, 8A-E

Propositions of Value, Logic, and Value Assumptions, Case Construction and Refutation

Priority TEKS: 4A-D, 7A-C, 8A-E

Propositions of Policy, Case Construction, Refutation

Priority TEKS: 2A--D, 9A,B,E,

Analysis, Delivery

Ongoing TEKS

6A-D, 7A, 8A,-C, 9A-B

6-Proof, 7-Case Construction, 8-Refutation, 9-Delivery