“Deliberation and debate is the way you stir the soul of our democracy.”
-Jessie Jackson
Debate is the smallest of the three activities making up DDAF, however, the smaller size does not diminish the team’s accomplishments. Debaters participate in four different forms of debate: Lincoln-Douglas, Public Forum, Congress, and Policy. Each type focuses on a different mix of persuasion and presentation of evidence, but all forms address topics of a political and/or philosophical nature. A multi-year debater will gain casual familiarity with materials and topics rarely explored in high school and often reserved for college graduate students. Most former debaters often remark that the skills learned in debate result in a very easy transition to college. For anyone interested in politics or becoming a lawyer, there is no better activity offered in high school to prepare someone for a career in these fields.
The debate season runs from September through the Wisconsin State Debate Tournament in December, with national qualifying tournaments in January and possible out of state travel in the spring. Varsity debaters will also travel out of state in the fall. Congress debate is offered in the spring from January through April on Fridays prior to forensics tournaments. Debaters can, and are encouraged to, participate in debate and forensics.