Homework: Online Debate Classes
2025-2026 Season
Homework & Research
Online Class Homework Page
In each session, we debate new topics using a variety of debate styles. Currently, our focus has been on the skills debate style. This page contains the homework and training videos for the online debate classes.
Information for Online Debate Classes & Events
Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87012680166?pwd=YDTAsA1No8RlxSWC1exIZiZk1rMqhO.1 (pw: 21stdb8)
Classes = Mondays (5:30 PM), & Wednesdays (5:00 PM).
Topic-Specific Debate Research (ALL)
Current Debate Topics (NOV-DEC 2025):
Previous Debate Topics (2024-2025):
Online Debate Class Homework
UPCOMING DEBATE TOURNAMENTS (All = Online) [Events Page!]
1. [Click Here] Concordia (Dec 13) Topic = Social Media is Harmful to Democracy.
2. [Click Here] Olympiad (Dec 19-20) Topic = Lawful Access to Encrypted Communications.
3. [Click Here] NOF “Ruby” (Dec 20) Topic = Social Media is Harmful to Democracy.
4. [Click Here] NOF “Pine” (Dec 22-29) Topics = [New Topics (Dec 1st)] (We submit video recordings of the speeches).
Upload Folder (Speech Recordings): https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Q5ytX8xq_h0q5Tp_wMFJk_EPi34Tyfcd
MON Debate Class at 5:30 PM (PF & LD):
[Public Forum] & [Lincoln Douglas] Classes Resumed in November 2025: Registration is open [FYI]
[Assigned Platform* Topics] AI Agents, Airships, Butterfly Migration, Citizen Journalism, Cultural Preservation, Disinformation, Predictive Genetics, Rewilding, Undersea Cables, & Vertical Farming.
*Assigned Platform Speech is a 3-minute speech (with sources!). Topics were announced on Dec 1st.
Helpful Resources = [Assigned Platform (Audio)], [Assigned Platform (Video)], & [Guide: Assigned Platform (PDF)].
[Topic-01 (NOF = PF & LD)] Social Media is Harmful to Democracy.
[Essay] Social Media & Democracy (Pros & Cons): LLM Article, October 2025 [Essay (PDF)].
[Videos] Social Media & Democracy (Pros & Cons), HMDC Presents (Video Series), October 2025 [Background-01], [Background-02], [PRO], & [CON].
[Podcast] Social Media’s Effect on Democracy, HMDC Presents (Audio Series), October 2025 [Podcast (6 min)], & [Podcast (29 min)].
Speech Outlines: [Arguments], [Rebuttals], [Rejoinders], & [Voting Issues].
Research Packet: [None for this topic!].
[Topic-02 (NSDA = PF)] Allowing law enforcement access to encrypted communications. [Listen!].
[Essay] Allowing Lawful Access to Encrypted Communications (Pros & Cons): LLM Article, November 2025 [Essay (PDF)].
[Videos] Allowing Lawful Access to Encrypted Communications (Pros & Cons), HMDC Presents (Video Series), October 2025 [Background], [PRO], & [CON].
[Podcast] Allowing Lawful Access to Encrypted Communications, HMDC Presents (Audio Series), October 2025 [Podcast (6 min)], & [Podcast (12 min)].
Speech Outlines: [Arguments], [Rebuttals], [Rejoinders], & [Voting Issues].
Research Packet: [Champion Briefs].
[Topic-03 (NSDA = LD)] Rewilding in the United States. [Listen!].
[Essay] Rewilding in the United States, LLM Article, November 2025 [Essay (PDF)].
[Videos] Rewilding in the United States, HMDC Presents (Video Series), November 2025 [Background-01], [Background-2], [AFF (Video)], & [NEG (Video)].
[Podcast] Rewilding in the United States, HMDC Presents (Audio Series), November 2025 [Podcast = Discussion (15 min)], & [Podcast = Debate (16 min)].
Speech Outlines: [Arguments], [Rebuttals], [Rejoinders], & [Voting Issues]. = LD Students to collaborate (Students build these by working together!)!
Research Packet: [Champion Briefs].
TUE Debate Class at 5:00 PM (PF):
Time has changed to 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM (Arriving late or leaving early is okay!)
[Public Forum] Classes will be resuming in the Winter of 2025:
Closed for Now!
WED Debate Class at 5:00 PM (PF & Crossfire Only):
Time has changed to 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM (Arriving late or leaving early is okay!)
[Public Forum] & [Lincoln Douglas] Classes Resumed in November 2025: Registration is open [FYI]
[Assigned Platform Topics] “Assigned Platform” is a 3-minute speech (with sources!). The topics are announced on the first of the month (Next = Dec 1st).
Brain-Computer Interfaces, Water, Digital Minimalism, Micronations, Biodiversity Offsetting, Remote Work, Nuclear Fusion, The Use of AI in Hiring,
Memory Manipulation Technology, & Handwriting. (Nothing is due for these – we will have you choose among the next set of topics in December).
Helpful Resources = [Assigned Platform (Audio)], [Assigned Platform (Video)], & [Guide: Assigned Platform (PDF)].
[Topic-01 (NOF = PF & LD)] Social Media is Harmful to Democracy.
[Essay] Social Media & Democracy (Pros & Cons): LLM Article, October 2025 [Essay (PDF)].
[Videos] Social Media & Democracy (Pros & Cons), HMDC Presents (Video Series), October 2025 [Background-01], [Background-02], [PRO], & [CON].
[Podcast] Social Media’s Effect on Democracy, HMDC Presents (Audio Series), October 2025 [Podcast (6 min)], & [Podcast (29 min)].
Speech Outlines: [Arguments], [Rebuttals], [Rejoinders], & [Voting Issues].
Research Packet: [None for this topic!].
[Topic-02 (NSDA = PF)] Allowing law enforcement access to encrypted communications. [Listen!].
[Essay] Allowing Lawful Access to Encrypted Communications (Pros & Cons): LLM Article, November 2025 [Essay (PDF)].
[Videos] Allowing Lawful Access to Encrypted Communications (Pros & Cons), HMDC Presents (Video Series), October 2025 [Background], [PRO], & [CON].
[Podcast] Allowing Lawful Access to Encrypted Communications, HMDC Presents (Audio Series), October 2025 [Podcast (6 min)], & [Podcast (12 min)].
Speech Outlines: [Arguments], [Rebuttals], [Rejoinders], & [Voting Issues]. = Pending!
Research Packet: [Champion Briefs].
THU Debate Class at 5:00 PM (PF):
Time has changed to 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM (Arriving late or leaving early is okay!)
[Public Forum] Classes will be resuming in the Winter of 2025:
Closed for Now!
FRI Debate Class at 5:00 PM (LD):
Time has changed to 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM (Arriving late or leaving early is okay!)
[Public Forum] & [Lincoln Douglas] Classes will be resuming in the Winter of 2025:
Closed for Now!
Debate-Specific Resources (Videos & PDFs)
The following sets of videos and PDFs (and possibly links to other websites) are designed to help debaters better understand the various responsibilities in debate. Such things as writing debate cases, speaking more confidently, and/or meeting the burdens by understanding the need for proof, refutation, and rejoinders. There are many skills that are used in debate, so it is our hope that these videos can assist you in having a deeper understanding. Thanks!
Debate "Explainer" Videos (& Resources):
"Public Forum Debate" Videos (& Resources):
Contact Information (for Coach Bill)
Bill Eddy (aka “Coach Bill”),
billeddy@21stcenturydebate.org
714.655.8135 (I prefer text)*
*When contacting me, please include your name and class information (day/time). Thanks!