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Capitol Debate Curriculum TOP LESSONS COVERED

Top Ten Lessons at Capitol Debate Summer Camps

1. Becoming a Confident and Compelling Speaker

With over 20 years of experience enriching the lives of students through debate, Capitol Debate’s mission is to help youth find their voice. Are you a competitive debater? You have come to the right place. Our faculty is at the top of their industry – our expert staff has coached countless student debaters to national championship wins and helped even the timidest kids become confident leaders with high self-esteem.

2. Mastering the Art of Effective Delivery

We teach students various communication skills, including vocal variety, articulation, pronunciation, voice projection, intonation, body language, and eye contact. These skills help students become better communicators, able to convey their message clearly and effectively to any audience.

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3. Impacting Your Audience from the Start: Crafting a Strong Introduction for Your Presentation

We teach students how to use rhetorical questions and stunning statistics to grab their audience's attention and make a powerful impact. These techniques can be especially effective at the beginning of a speech, as they can engage the audience's curiosity and emotions and set the stage for a compelling and persuasive presentation. We also teach students the importance of stating their thesis or main argument clearly and early on in the speech. This helps to focus the audience's attention and gives them a clear understanding of the direction that the speech will take. By stating their thesis clearly and persuasively, students can set the stage for a strong and compelling case that leaves a lasting impression on their audience.

4. Maximize your Impact with Organized Main Ideas and Supporting Content

Organizing a speech into main points and using examples, supporting materials, and evidence can help our students create a clear and logical structure and strengthen their argument, making their ideas more convincing and persuasive to the audience. This can lead to a more effective and memorable speech.

5. Finding Reliable Sources and Compelling Arguments: The Keys to Successful Research

Learning how to research effectively is an important skill for success in public speaking and debate. It allows students to increase their knowledge and understanding of a topic, find reliable and persuasive evidence to support their arguments, and improve critical thinking skills. These skills also have practical applications outside of camp, as they can enhance confidence and prepare students for personal and professional challenges. By learning how to research effectively, your child will gain confidence in their own abilities and feel more prepared for any challenge that comes their way.

6. Crafting a Winning Debate Case: The Power of the Written Word

Learning how to write a winning debate case is an important skill for any student. It allows them to synthesize their arguments into a compelling case that is clear, logical, and persuasive. By organizing their thoughts and ideas into a structured and well-supported case, students can more effectively communicate their position and persuade their audience. Writing a winning debate case requires students to carefully select and order their best arguments into a logical and persuasive case. This process can help students to become more analytical and discerning in their thinking, skills that are valuable not only in debates, but in all areas of life.

7. Unleashing the Power of Cross-Examination: Winning Strategies for Debate

Learning the power of cross-examination can give students a significant advantage in their debates. Cross-examination is a critical component of any debate, as it allows debaters to test the credibility and reliability of their opponent's arguments. By effectively conducting cross-examination, debaters can expose weaknesses in their opponent's case and strengthen their own argument. Understanding the power of effective cross-examination will provide students the upper hand in all areas of life, including arguing a point with a friend or negotiating a deal in the professional world.

8. Mastering the Art of Refutation: Outmaneuvering Your Opponent

Learning how to refute arguments effectively is an essential skill for any debater. At debate camp, students have the opportunity to learn and practice this crucial skill in a supportive and structured environment. By learning how to identify weaknesses in their opponents' arguments and effectively counter them, students can strengthen their own arguments and increase their chances of winning debates.

9. Close with a Bang: Win Every Debate with a Knockout Finish

Giving a memorable and persuasive closing speech is an essential skill for any debater. It is the final opportunity to leave a lasting impression on the judges and to convince them that your argument is the strongest. At debate camp, students have the opportunity to learn and practice the techniques of giving a powerful closing speech from the top debate instructors in the country. By learning how to effectively summarize their arguments and leave a lasting impact on the audience, students can increase their chances of winning debates and become more confident and persuasive speakers. In addition, learning how to give a memorable closing speech can help students develop their public speaking skills and the ability to think on their feet. Overall, mastering the art of closing the speech is an important step to becoming a successful debater and an effective communicator.

10. Thinking on Your Feet: The Key to Success in Debate and Life

Learning how to think on your feet is an essential skill for success in debate and in life. In debate, quickly and effectively responding to unexpected arguments and challenges is crucial to winning. At debate camp, students can learn and practice this important skill. This skill can also be valuable in everyday life, as it allows individuals to think on their feet in a variety of situations and to adapt to new challenges and changes quickly. Whether it's giving a presentation at school, participating in a job interview, or simply engaging in casual conversation, the ability to think on your feet can help students succeed in any situation. Overall, learning to think on your feet is an important step to becoming a confident and effective communicator.