Civispeak Debate Academy
Hello! I'm Bani Kaur Rawal and I'm the founder and instructor of Civispeak Debate Academy! Civispeak Debate Academy is a free program I've created for middle school students who are curious about debate or just getting started. Whether you're eager to dive in or simply exploring the idea, this course is designed to build your confidence—not only in debate, but also in everyday skills like classroom communication, presentation, and negotiation.
More about Civispeak
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Our focus is on Public Forum Debate, a team-based style where pairs of students argue both sides of a topic (called a resolution). This format emphasizes structured argumentation, persuasive speaking, and live cross-examination, making it a dynamic and accessible introduction to the world of debate.
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Classes are held as 1 hour Zoom group sessions, with fun drills and activities to keep learning engaging. You’ll be paired with a debate partner from within the class of up to 32 students, working together throughout the course to develop your skills.
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The full program spans 7 days, including 4 days of instruction and 3 days of practice debates. During the debate days, students will apply their skills, observe their peers, and receive live feedback. Every participant will receive a certificate of participation, with additional awards given to top speakers and standout teams.
FREE 7-DAY COURSE DETAILS
1
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Weighing
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Refutation/Blocks
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Crossfire
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Extemp speaking
2
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​How to research
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Appealing evidence
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Condensing evidence​​​
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Understanding impact
4
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​Summary speeches
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​​Final Focus
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Prep time
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Effective speaking
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Practice Round #1
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Live feedback
6
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Practice Round #2
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Live feedback
7
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Practice Round #3
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Live feedback
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Award ceremony
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Closing remarks
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Introduction to PF and debate
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Effective speeches
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Practice topic
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Argument brainstorming​
3
5
Free Public Forum Debate Workshop!
No dates currently available...come back soon!
Learn the basics of Public Forum debate in this free 90-minute workshop!
For Middle School Students
We cover:
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Introduction to Public Forum debate, exploration of a practice topic, and argument brainstorming
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How to research effectively, find appealing evidence, and understand its impact
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Weighing, refutation and block strategies, and crossfire techniques
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​Summary speeches, final focus strategies, prep time management, and effective speaking skills
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Mini practice debate