Homework: Online Debate Classes
2026-2027 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).
Online Debate Class Homework
Required Research for Homework Assignments
ASSIGNED PLATFORM RESEARCH
ASSIGNED PLATFORM TOPICS — SAMPLE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 1
DEBATE RESEARCH & PREPARATION
Expanding Nuclear Power
Resolved: Governments ought to expand nuclear power development.
This is our National Online Forensics (NOF) debate topic for the whole fall season, and every fall tournament runs on it. We start with the background, because strong debaters understand a topic before they choose a side.
REQUIRED — THE BACKGROUND
OPTIONAL — RESEARCH AND EXTRA HELP
TOURNAMENTS
Every student on this team competes through 21st Century Debate, and the sign-up form for each tournament appears inside this menu once the entry window opens.
The Data Center Moratorium
Resolved: The United States federal government should enact a moratorium on hyperscale data center construction.
This is the national debate topic from the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) for September and October. Data centers are the giant computer warehouses that run the internet and AI, and the question is whether America should pause building the biggest ones.
REQUIRED — THE BACKGROUND
OPTIONAL — RESEARCH AND EXTRA HELP
TOURNAMENTS
Every student on this team competes through 21st Century Debate, and the sign-up form for each tournament appears inside this menu once the entry window opens.
SPEECH RESEARCH & PREPARATION
Assigned Platform Speech
Three minutes, one topic from the monthly list of ten.
Every month the National Online Forensics releases ten new topics, and we choose one and build a three minute speech on it. The work is research, then an outline, then practice, then the recording.
REQUIRED — HOW TO BUILD IT
OPTIONAL — PRACTICE AND EXTRA HELP
TOURNAMENTS
Every student on this team competes through 21st Century Debate, and the sign-up form for each tournament appears inside this menu once the entry window opens.
Asynchronous Debate Speech
Five minutes, one side of the official debate topic.
We argue one side of the official debate topic for five minutes, and rebuttals are now part of this event. Most of our team uses the nuclear power topic, because the research is already on this page.
REQUIRED — HOW TO BUILD IT
OPTIONAL — PRACTICE AND EXTRA HELP
TOURNAMENTS
Every student on this team competes through 21st Century Debate, and the sign-up form for each tournament appears inside this menu once the entry window opens.
TUE Debate Class at 5:00 PM (PF):
[Public Forum]
Classes meet from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM (Pacific). Arriving late or leaving early is okay. For the 2026-2027 season, please contact Coach Bill for the current schedule and to reserve a seat.
WED Debate Class at 5:00 PM (PF & Crossfire Only):
[Public Forum]
Classes meet from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM (Pacific). Arriving late or leaving early is okay. For the 2026-2027 season, please contact Coach Bill for the current schedule and to reserve a seat.
THU Debate Class at 5:00 PM (PF):
[Public Forum]
Classes meet from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM (Pacific). Arriving late or leaving early is okay. For the 2026-2027 season, please contact Coach Bill for the current schedule and to reserve a seat.
FRI Debate Class at 5:00 PM (PF & LD):
[Public Forum] & [Lincoln Douglas]
Classes meet from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM (Pacific). Arriving late or leaving early is okay. For the 2026-2027 season, please contact Coach Bill for the current schedule and to reserve a seat.
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!