Rouse High School – Debate I-III

Apr 2026 · 2nd Semester

Debate students learn various formats of high school competitive speech/debate. Students will prepare and present speeches on opposing sides of a resolution (topic) to convince an adjudicator to vote in their favor. Students will improve their knowledge and understanding of important social issues of our time, develop and use valid approaches for affirmative and negative cases based on research and/or philosophy, and use skills to debate propositions of value and policy. Students will learn refutation skills, burden of proof skills, and evaluation skills. Within this process, students will gain skills in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and thinking. They will also examine concepts and skills related to preparing and presenting public messages. Students will also analyze and evaluate creation, organization, style, memorization, and delivery. Skill levels will increase with each level of Debate. UIL and/or Texas Forensic Association competitions may be required. ● Students may take Debate I-III, then an Independent Studies course in their senior year.