Welcome to Non-Competitive Debate!
Instructor: Mrs. Nash
E-mail: Kirsten.Nash@pfisd.net
Conference: 2A and 4B
Phone Number: 594.1205
Tutorial: Tuesday and Thursday 8am
Website: https://sites.google.com/site/hawkspeechanddebate/
Course Description
This course is designed to serve as an advanced communications course that focuses on debate as a form of
communication. During this course you will learn how to explore a variety of controversial topics through the vehicle of a
variety of structured debate styles. You will learn how to research and write cases, critique and evaluate debates and
participate in debate rounds. You will also develop critical thinking skills, learn to refute arguments, support claims with
solid evidence and logic and identify logical fallacies. Finally, you will learn techniques to increase confidence, methods of
adapting to a variety of audiences, and gain valuable speaking and presentation skills through practice. You will be
debating in this class! If at any time you need my assistance please feel free to see me; I have an open-door policy and I
will help you in any way I can.
Course Objectives
 Understand and explain the role of debate in a free society
 Employ critical thinking skills to analyze complex, controversial issues
 Analyze and argue propositions
 Apply critical thinking, logic and reasoning within various forms of debate
 Understand and demonstrate ability to construct basic debate cases
 Develop and demonstrate effective research strategies and utilize appropriate evidence to support arguments
 Effectively refute and defend arguments
 Develop and utilize effective verbal and nonverbal communication and listening skills in argumentation
 Critically analyze and critique debates
Intramural Tournament Attendance (Afterschool)
This is a noncompetitive class. However, throughout the semester, you are expected to come to ONE afterschool
intramural debate ‘tournament’ each 9 weeks. Dates will be announced 2 weeks prior. Failure to attend the tournament
will result in an automatic drop of one grade level for that 9 week period. (For example, if you are earning a 92 for the
class, but do not attend the tournament, your grade will be an 82. You may pass the class without attending tournaments,
but you will not get an A.) If you have some sort of rare scheduling problem and cannot attend a tournament during the
9 weeks, you may receive an alternative assignment that will meet this requirement – it is an extensive research paper.
Required Materials
* Pen/Pencil (bring EVERY day)
* 1 Ream of Printing Paper
* 1 Binder – Can be your school binder just want a section for this class
* 3 Dividers – Lecture Notes, Article Notes, Student Work
* $20 – covers membership dues to the National Speech and Debate Association and supplies for the intramural
tournament. (Highly recommended but not mandatory. This fee is required to compete in the intramural
tournament; otherwise you will have to do the alternative assessment. If you are financially unable to pay,
please see Mrs. Nash privately.)
Grading
Check your grades regularly! Your grade in this class is determined by the following criteria:
30%
Daily grades (homework, in-class activities, in-class speech preparation, group daily
work, impromptu speaking, and research/work, quizzes)
70%
Major grades (participation, speech outlines, speeches, tests, and major group/individual projects,
debates, research papers)
Classroom Rules & Procedures
1) Be prepared!
 Each student must be inside the classroom door, prepared for class, when the tardy bell rings.
2) Be respectful!
 Because this class requires participation, I will at no point tolerate rudeness during presentations, speeches, or
other communication exercises.
 Debate does not mean arguing. We respect the ideas and contributions of fellow classmates and communicate
respectfully at all times.
 Treat fellow classmates, myself and any visitors with respect at all times.
 The bell does not dismiss you, I DO. Do not begin to leave until you have been dismissed.
 My desk, computer, storage closet & bookshelves are off limits.
 Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated – any student caught cheating will be given a zero for the assignment
and receive appropriate disciplinary action.
3) Be on task!
 This class requires participation – you have to try!
 Follow directions the first time they are given.
 HHS policy on cell phones/electronics devices applies in my class – if I see them, I will take them.
4) Be positive!
 You don’t have to be perfect, you just have to try – give it your best shot every time!
5) Be ENGAGED!
 This course requires active, continuous discussion and engagement. In order to create a successful environment
for learning and growth, all class members are expected to be contributors to the discussions and practice
debates.
Absences & Makeup work
Attendance is essential to the learning process, but is not always possible. If absent for any reason, excused or otherwise, it
is your responsibility to get notes and assignments that you have missed. If you are involved in extracurricular activities
that require you to miss class, it is your responsibility to get your assignments and notes BEFORE you are absent. IF YOU
WERE PRESENT THE DAY THE ASSIGNMENT WAS GIVEN BUT ABSENT ON THE DUE DATE, THE WORK IS DUE ON THE DAY
YOU RETURN TO CLASS.
Late Work
This class doesn’t have late work. Assignments are considered ‘not turned in’ if they are not turned in when you walk in
the door (or when collected). Once this happens, a 0 will be recorded. Students may redo or resubmit Minor Grades
before the end of the 3 week period, to receive a max grade of a 70. Redos must be good-faith efforts at the assignment;
trivial attempts will not be accepted or graded. Work that is not turned in within the 3 week grading period (or within 5
calendar days of the due date, whichever comes later) will not be accepted. In-Class or participation assignments are not
eligible for make-up if a student opts NOT to do work or participate during the time allocated in class.
Class Discussion / Practice Debate Participation Grades
You will get ongoing, regular grades for participation in classroom discussions – in practice rounds, critiques of others
debates, round table discussions, article/evidence sharing, book chats, etc. While occasional silence on a particular topic is
acceptable, routine lack of participation is unacceptable in this course. This grade will START at a 70 (at the beginning of
the 9 weeks). I will update the grade every 3 weeks to reflect your participation during that period. Failure to participate
in these discussions will results in poor classroom discussion grades.
Retesting or Redoing
Students scoring below “70” on a Major Grade may redo the assignment/test (or similar) after completing prerequisite
work. Retesting/redoing should be completed within five school days. For multiple choice exams, all students will be
allowed to correct the exam to earn back ½ of the lost points. If you are not prepared to give your speech on the due date,
you will receive a 0. Students may ‘make up’ the missed speech within in the next 5 class days for a maximum of a
70. Presentations must be completed within the three week grading period to receive credit. Students wishing to redo a
project or speech after earning a failing grade must redo the entire assignment on a different topic.
NON-COMPETITIVE DEBATE – MRS. NASH
PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN
I, _________________________clearly understand the rules and procedures stated above, and understand that I must
abide by these rules and all other HHS policies while I am in Mrs. Nash’s classroom. I also understand that inter-class
tournament attendance is a highly recommend and has a fee attached to it for this class and agree to other rules
described in the syllabus.
Student Signature ___________________________________
Parent Signature ____________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Parent / Guardian:
I will need the following information to be able to reach you periodically throughout the year. Please know that my best
communication format is email, but I also respond very well to text message or cell phone, especially if we are away at a
tournament.
Student Name: _______________________________
Parent Name(s): _____________________________
Email Address: ______________________________
Home Number ______________________________
Cell Number ________________________________
Is there any information that you feel is important for me to know that will help your student achieve success in my
classroom? If so, please jot it down here. Thanks!