Public Forum Debate
2026-2027 Proposition: Electric vehicles are good for society.
Academic debate is a persuasive speech event centered on the clash of issues. In Public Forum debate, students must be prepared to both advocate for and refute a specific proposition (a statement expressing a judgment or opinion).
Unlike Team Policy debate, a Public Forum proposition does not pose a problem requiring a policy solution. Furthermore, unlike Lincoln-Douglas debate, Public Forum does not focus on arguing core values.
(Note: Public Forum is designed for debaters ages 10 to 13, as of October 1st of the school year. Students who are 9 or 14 on this date may participate with coach approval.)