Schoolhouse.world: peer tutoring, for free.
Free SAT® Prep, as part of a research study.
SAT® Bootcamps
Free SAT® Prep, as part of a research study.
A global network of volunteers.
Explore Tutors
A global network of volunteers.
Get free help applying to college.
College Admissions Workshops
Get free help applying to college.
Debate: From Beginner to Professional Tournaments

SAT Score Range

8 sessions

+36

This series ended on June 24, 2023. All 1:1 and group chats related to this series are disabled 7 days after the last session.

About

Hi Everyone! I am Shivansh and I am absolutely a nerd of debating! I have been debating since I was 7 and loving it since forever and I absolutely cannot wait my learnings with you all! As seen by the growth of debating so much during the pandemic and now that it has become an academic activity that far surpasses any other due to the rigour debating brings, it is essential to learn such a skill! I am starting this Debate series to teach it from scratch! Don't worry if you do not know debating --- THIS IS THE PLACE TO BE! Here is just a small, little, teeny, tiny glimpse of what my series is going to entail (I want some parts to be a surprise :) for you!): #Session 1: Orientation: Meet and Greet and Introduction to the Debate - Debate is less theory and more Fun :)! #Session 2: Debating Basics 101: Learning What Debate is? What am I doing here on a Sunday Morning :) And Also How to Debate? #Session 3: Novice Debating 101: Theory and Drills - Debating, Rationality, Logic and NEW FORMAT - WSDC Debating #Session 4: Novice Debating 101: Practice Debates on WSDC, feedback and fun! #Session 5: Novice Debating 101: Theory - WSDC Advanced #Session 6: Intermediate Debating 101: Practice Debating on Harder topics, less time and fun! #Session 7: Intermediate Debating 101: Theory - Logical Fallacies, Speaking Strategies and Judging #Session 8: Advanced Debating 101: Debating Test - Check for Review - Quiz + Practice Debates #Session X.... I am also looking to help you go into professional and prestigious debate tournaments after a rigorous amount of training, these include Stanford, Harvard, Oxford and many more debating competitions! So, if you are someone who though debating was hard or someone who has excelled at debate all your life, this series is for you! Whether a beginner or a pro, you always have something new to learn in our sessions! Note: Every session we will be doing a whole lot of practice debating, so do not worry about forgetting the skill! And plus, incase you want I can assign homework (But personally I do not like homework too!). Anyways, this course will go level by level - Novice, Intermediate, Advanced and Varsity! But we can have as many catch up sessions and as many series sessions added as the course is structured according to you! So what are you waiting for? Ready to take the Debate Series challenge?

Tutored by

Shivansh G 🇮🇳

Certified in 3 topics

View Profile

Hi I am a grade 8 student and I love Maths, Science, Coding, Debating, Music and Learning Languages through which I have received numerous awards. I loves mathematics and science and have shown his knowledge through multiple global competitive competitions like Olympiads, AMC 8, CEMC, securing distinctions and awards. I love music and have produced multiple compositions on my own. I am a national debating champion and 2nd best speaker in NSDA’s India Tournament, I have won 1st best speaker in Georgetown University's Tournament and have gone to Oxford University for their finals debate! I am a coder knowing over 15 languages and frameworks in computers and have built over 500+ applications to help society! I have won numerous hackathons and wish to be an engineer when I grow up! I love circuits and the Arduino/Raspberry Pi and have gotten great awards at the World Robotics Olympiad! Apart from coding languages, I love linguistics and I learn Japanese and Spanish. I have participated in several chess tournaments at state and national levels. I enjoy playing the guitar, drums and piano for which I has cleared Trinity Exams! If you too have a passion for maths or science/coding, or even hate maths, thats ok! I would love to teach maths/science/coding if you need and and share the love for it around the world! So, if you want to learn maths, lets enjoy mathematics, not as a subject but as an art, where your creativity is your paint and your mind is your canvas! If you want to study science, remember its not the study of formals, but the art of patterns! If you wish to study coding, remember its not learning a language that sets coding apart but its using simple logic and a whole lot of imagination that creates 100s of solutions to the same coding problem! Enjoy learning and spreading the love of Maths, Science and Coding!

Schedule

✋ ATTENDANCE POLICY

None! Yes, you read it right! None! If you miss out, we have notes to recap! I of course want you to be present and would highly recommend you being in the classes but due to any issue if you cannot join, DO NOT WORRY - My notes will help you catch up with us in no time!

SESSION 1

1

Jun

SESSION 1

Orientation

Orientation

Thu 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM UTCJun 1, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM UTC

As mentioned, just a session to learn more about each other, get small fun introductions and begin our journey to debate with an overview of this course, the syllabus and how will we learn how to debate and have fun :)
SESSION 2

2

Jun

SESSION 2

Orientation

Orientation

Fri 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM UTCJun 2, 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM UTC

Our first real debate session where we start with basic debating skills and introduce how to speak, how to argue and how to think on spot when someone has said something against what you said - the art of debating in 30 minutes :) and the rest of the time we have fun with doing some funny debate topics :)
SESSION 3

4

Jun

SESSION 3

Enrichment

Enrichment

Sun 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM UTCJun 4, 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM UTC

WSDC Session #1
SESSION 4

6

Jun

SESSION 4

Other Topics

Other Topics

Tue 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM UTCJun 6, 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM UTC

Session Title: *THEORY SESSION* - Decoding WSDC: Let's Start with the Basics & Dive into 1st Speaker Roles Hello there! It's okay if this is your first time delving into the World Schools Debating Championships (WSDC) format. We're here to start from the very beginning, making the complex seem simple and the overwhelming manageable. In our upcoming Schoolhouse.world session, we will introduce you to the basics of the WSDC format. We're going to navigate this journey together, so don't worry about feeling lost. Our aim is to foster a friendly, supportive learning environment, where questions are encouraged, and curiosity is rewarded. During this session, we'll mainly focus on understanding the roles of the first speakers - the Prime Minister and the Leader of Opposition. We will explore how they set the stage for the debate, define key terms, and lay out the arguments. As the starting point of any WSDC debate, these roles are pivotal to the direction and momentum of the argumentation. As we delve into the art of argumentation, I will guide you on how to craft compelling introductions that set the tone for your debates. We'll practice drills to hone this skill, ensuring you can capture attention, convey your stance, and leave a lasting impression right from the get-go. Regardless of whether you aspire to become an accomplished debater or just want to enhance your public speaking skills, this session is designed to provide a solid foundation for you to build upon. Let's start this exciting journey together, shall we?
SESSION 5

7

Jun

SESSION 5

Other Topics

Other Topics

Wed 5:30 AM - 6:30 AM UTCJun 7, 5:30 AM - 6:30 AM UTC

Session Title: *PRACTICAL SESSION* - WSDC Deep Dive: Dissecting First Speaker Roles & Speech Components Hello everyone! I'm thrilled to invite you to our next session, where we'll be delving even deeper into the world of the World Schools Debating Championships (WSDC) format. Last time, we started with the basics, looking at the roles of the first speakers - the Prime Minister and the Leader of Opposition. This time, we're going to explore these roles in greater depth, examining the intricate details of each part of their speeches. During our upcoming Schoolhouse.world session, we will dissect the components of the first speakers' speeches - set-up, argument 1, argument 2, and the analysis within each argument. We'll explore how the set-up shapes the debate's direction, how the arguments formulate the body of your speech, and how in-depth analysis can strengthen your argument and enhance your persuasiveness. Whether you’re aspiring to be a future debater or simply looking to enhance your skills in structured thinking and persuasive speaking, understanding these speech components is vital. We'll use real-world examples, conduct drills, and practice together to not only comprehend these aspects but also to effectively apply them in crafting our own speeches. Looking forward to seeing you in the next session. Let's continue our journey into the heart of WSDC together!
SESSION 6

11

Jun

SESSION 6

Other Topics

Other Topics

Sun 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM UTCJun 11, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM UTC

Session Title: *THEORY SESSION* - Crafting a Robust Argument: Understanding Structure, Generating Ideas & Drilling Down on Feminist Movement Debates Hello debaters! Our exciting journey into the World Schools Debating Championships (WSDC) format continues. After delving into motion types and exploring the roles of the first and second speakers, we're now ready to take a closer look at the heart of any debate - the arguments. In our upcoming Schoolhouse.world session, we're going to dissect the structure of a good argument. We'll learn about the seven essential parts that make up a robust, persuasive argument. This is an incredibly important aspect of successful debating - getting this right can be a game-changer! But forming a strong argument requires a starting point. How can we generate arguments from a motion just by looking at it? This session will equip you with the tools and techniques to do exactly that. We'll learn how to extract key points from a motion, and use them to develop our own compelling arguments. And, of course, we won't just be learning theory. We're going to apply what we learn through drills, specifically focusing on debates about the Feminist Movement. This will provide a fantastic opportunity to put our argument generation and structuring skills to the test in a topical and complex subject area. Whether you're new to debating or looking to refine your skills, this session is designed to take your argumentation abilities to the next level. Looking forward to seeing you all there for another engaging and enlightening session!
SESSION 7

22

Jun

SESSION 7

Other Topics

Other Topics

Thu 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM UTCJun 22, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM UTC

Session Title: *THEORY SESSION* - WSDC Drill-Down: Mastering First Speaker Speeches through Practice on Social Movements Debates Hello again, debate enthusiasts! After our in-depth exploration into the roles of the first speakers - the Prime Minister and Leader of Opposition - in the World Schools Debating Championships (WSDC) format, it's time to put our learning into action. In our next Schoolhouse.world session, we'll be moving away from the theory and diving headfirst into practice. The best way to internalize our understanding and sharpen our skills is through drills, and that's exactly what we'll be doing. Our focus for this session will be exclusively on social movements debates, a relevant and compelling subject area that will challenge our argumentative and analytical skills. This is your chance to craft your own speeches as the Prime Minister or Leader of Opposition, using all the tools and techniques we've discussed in our previous sessions. We'll walk through each component of the speech - from setup to arguments, and analysis. Expect to receive constructive feedback, refine your technique, and watch your peers in action, creating an enriching learning environment for all. Whether you're keen on mastering the WSDC format or simply looking to improve your public speaking abilities, this session will provide you with practical skills and hands-on experience. Can't wait to see you there, ready for our debate drill-down!
SESSION 8

24

Jun

SESSION 8

Other Topics

Other Topics

Sat 4:45 PM - 5:45 PM UTCJun 24, 4:45 PM - 5:45 PM UTC

Session Title: *THEORY SESSION* - From Motion Types to Second Speaker Roles: Advancing in the WSDC Journey Hello everyone! Our journey into the intriguing world of the World Schools Debating Championships (WSDC) format continues. After having practiced forming first speaker speeches, it's time to further expand our horizons. In our next Schoolhouse.world session, we're going to dive into understanding motion types - an integral part of any debate. Understanding the kind of motions that exist, and the burdens they place on debate teams, is crucial in formulating strong and persuasive arguments. We'll dissect different motion types and explore how the approach to argumentation changes with each. But that's not all! We'll also be looking into some exciting upcoming competitions. This will be a great opportunity for those of you who might be considering taking your newfound debating skills to the next level. Finally, we'll begin our foray into the roles of the second speakers in the WSDC format - the Deputy Prime Minister and the Deputy Leader of Opposition. As we move into these roles, we'll see how they build upon the foundation laid by the first speakers, providing further analysis and rebuttal. Whether you're a novice debater just getting your feet wet or a seasoned pro looking to refine your skills, this session promises to be a comprehensive and engaging next step in your WSDC journey. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Public Discussion

Please log in to see discussion on this series.

Jun 1 - Jun 24

4 weeks

60 mins

/ session