Public Forum Bootcamp

3-Day Online Workshop | August 8th ~ 10th

15 hours of instruction | Fri 2PM-5PM CT | Sat-Sun 11AM-5PM CT

Cost: $325.00/student (need-based financial aid available)

Referral Discount: $20.00/referral

Class Size: 8-12 students

Open to: 9th-12th grade PF debaters (all backgrounds welcome!)

Space is limited and offered on a first come, first serve basis!

Flexible refunds offered until Monday, 7/22.

Syllabus

Live Practice Rounds

All students receive the opportunity to engage in practice debates on the Septober PF topic. Rounds are judged by our expert instructors, who provide extensive case & structured round feedback.

Rounds are power paired based on skill level, so that students debate in high-quality, educational rounds with peer competitors.
Debaters will receive the opportunity to try out their own cases and receive detailed feedback; Demo debate materials (cases, block documents, etc.) will also be distributed to students for drills & analysis.
Instructors will lead students through structured “redo” speeches, so that students make steady progress on debate skills learned in camp.

Schedule

Friday, August 8th

2:00-2:30 Opening Ceremony
2:30-3:15 Introduction to Public Forum (Beginner)
2:30-3:15 Rebuttal Drills (Interm. & Advanced)
3:15-5:00 Demo Debate & Walkthrough
5:00-6:00 Bonus Lecture

Saturday, August 9th
11:00-11:15 Morning Meeting
11:15-12:45 Navigating Selective Admissions: Panel
12:45-1:45 Lunch
1:45-3:00 Casing & Argument Generation
3:00-4:00 Refutation
4:00-5:00 Topic Lecture
5:00-6:00 Bonus Lecture

Sunday, August 10th
11:00-11:15 Morning Meeting
11:15-12:30 Casing Office Hours
12:30-1:30 Lunch
1:30-2:00 Weighing
2:00-3:15 Practice Debate 1
3:15-4:30 Practice Debate 2
4:30-5:00 Closing Ceremony

WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS

Public Forum 101

What is PF and how do you win it? Catered to all skill levels, we'll help you understand PF like you never have before.

Casing & Argument Generation

Identifying arguments and constructing them to win rounds. We'll show you how to make standard arguments stronger and find the unintuitive arguments.

Demo Debate & Analysis

Watch our top ranked PF debaters in action! They'll show you what high level debate looks like and then break down their strategies and techniques with you.

Casing Office Hours

Prep for Septober with the best of the best! Bring your cases in whatever stage you have them and we'll help you get ready for the start of the competitive season.

Weighing

Good weighing can save losing rounds while bad weighing can lose a flow advantage. Our instructors break down this important tool.

Practice Rounds

After practicing with your peers, you'll receive personalized guidance from our incredible instructional team. They'll help your debating go from good to great.

...And more!

Instructors

Michael Hansen

2023 TOC Champion

2022-23 #1 Ranked PF Debater

14 TOC Gold Bids

Roy Tiefer

2020-21 #1 PF Debater

Coached Debaters to 30 Gold Bids

12 TOC Gold Bids

...and more!

FINANCIAL AID

Our goal is to provide an high quality, affordable debate education for all. We hope to make Chicago Debate Academy accessible to as many students as possible!

CDA offers need-based financial aid ranging from 10% – 100% of the full program cost for prospective students whose financial circumstances prevent them from meeting the full cost of the program.

To apply, please fill out the Financial Aid Form below and the official registration form above. We will get back to you with the finalized financial aid details within 1-3 business days. For more inquiries, please email chicagodebateacademy@gmail.com

Application