Tampa Preparatory School Debate Team

Faculty Advisor: Mr. John Bamford

*2007 – 2008   Florida Forensic League State Champions
*2008 – 2009   Tournament of Champions qualifiers
*2008 – 2009   Florida Forensic League State Semi-Finalists
*2008 – 2009   Florida Forensic League Novice State Semi-Finalists
*2008 – 2009   University of Florida Blue Key Policy Debate Champions

General Debate Resources

www.planetdebate.com
www.cross-x.com
www.idebate.org
www.debate-central.org
ndca.debateteam.net

League Websites

Florida Forensics League (FFL)                                www.floridaforensics.org        
Florida Gulf Coast Catholic Forensics League (CFL)   www.fgccfl.org            
National Forensics League (NFL)                             www.nflonline.org            

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of person should join debate?
Competitive debaters are students who are willing to devote time to personal and academic growth. Debate is more about thinking and problem solving than public speaking. Debaters tend to be good readers with wide-ranging interests and a curiosity about the world. 

What is debate about?
The purpose of debate is to strengthen problem solving and critical thinking skills of students. In conjunction with a partner (a team) will research on a topic of national concern (for example: schools, courts, national security, and economics). The students prepare speeches supporting and opposing the topic. In tournaments they argue both sides of the topic against teams from other schools with a judge awarding a decision to the team that is more convincing. Since all of the skills learned in debate can only be mastered through use, students are expected to participate in tournaments, though some students will take part in more tournaments than others.

Isn’t debate too much work?
Each debater decides how much time and effort they wish to expend on work. Participating as part of the team does mean some extra hours for tournaments, travel, team meetings, practices, and research. The important aspect to remember is: Any skill worth having involves time. 

Will Debate take away from other activities?
Each debater will select the tournaments he or she attends during the year, so conflicts are rarely insurmountable. Eventually, debate actually improves student performances in other classes once the debate skills are applied.

What will I get out of Debate?

1.    RESEARCH SKILLS
2.    COMMUNICATION SKILLS
3.    CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS
4.    KNOWLEDGE
5.    WRITING SKILLS
6.    GROUP INVOLVEMENT
7.    CHARACTER BUILDING
8.    FUN!