Stanford National Forensic Institute

NOTE: if you are looking for a beginning debate program and aren't sure if you are specifically intereested in policy debate, we suggest that you review our "how to choose the right program" guide.  We offer a camp for beginning students in each type of debate, although this is the only session sepcifically called "beginner."

The SNFI is proud to offer a policy debate program specifically for beginners!  This lab will teach students the core principles of policy debate, provide a first in-depth glimpse into the evidence production process (all digital), and instill the love for policy debate that all of our staff shares. The core two-week program is designed to introduce major concepts while fitting into the tightest of summer schedules while the extended week provides students several additional practice debates and a mini-end of camp tournament. We strongly encourage students who plan on debating during the school year to sign up for all three weeks as it guarantees them substantial practice time.

Main features of our Beginner’s Program:

• Introduction to Policy Debate concepts using curriculum designed in conjunction with our poicy debate director, Brian Manuel, the Stanford Debate Society policy debate coach, and our site director Corey Turoff, a full-time teacher and debate coach at the Head Royce School in Oakland.

• Introduction to research methods by guiding students through the production of one small affirmative case and a small negative off-case position.

• Introduction to electronic file production that most high schools have shifted towards using in the last two years.

• An Extended Week with opportunity for additional practice debates and argument seminars.

Admission to this lab is limited by our ability to staff it with quality educators with experience teaching beginning debaters. If the lab fills before we can find an additional instructor, some applications may not be accepted. Please apply early! Make sure to select the Beginner’s Lab option on the application to be considered for admittance.

NOTE: if you are looking for a beginning debate program and aren't sure if you are specifically intereested in policy debate, we suggest that you review our "how to choose the right program" guide.  We offer a camp for beginning students in each type of debate, although this is the only session sepcifically called "beginner."

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