Homework: Online Debate Classes
2023-2024 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 EVENTS (All = Online) [Events Page!]
1. [Click Here] Olympiad (Nov. 28-29) Topic = Lawful Access to Encrypted Communications.
2. [Click Here] Olympiad (Dec 19-20) Topic = Lawful Access to Encrypted Communications.
3. [Click Here] NOF “Ruby” (Dec 20th, 12 pm) Topic = Social Media Harms Democracy.
4. [Click Here] NOF “Pine” (Dec 22-29) Topic = Videos of Speeches! [Dec 1st].
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] Brain-Computer Interfaces, Water, Digital Minimalism, Micronations, Biodiversity Offsetting, Remote Work, Nuclear Fusion, The Use of AI in Hiring, Memory Manipulation Technology, & Handwriting.
*Assigned Platform Speech is a 3-minute speech (with sources!). Topics are announced on the first of the month (Next = Dec 1st).
[Topic-01 (NOF = PF & LD)] Social Media is Harmful to Democracy.
[Article/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].
[OPTIONAL] Podcast: Social Media’s Effect on Democracy, HMDC Presents (Audio Series), October 2025 [Brief Podcast (6 min)], & [Full Podcast (29 min)].
Research Packet: [None].
[Topic-02 (NSDA = PF)] Allowing law enforcement access to encrypted communications. [Listen!].
[Article/Essay] Social Media & Democracy (Pros & Cons): LLM Article, November 2025 [Essay (PDF)].
[Videos] Social Media & Democracy (Pros & Cons), HMDC Presents (Video Series), October 2025 [Background], [PRO], & [CON].
[OPTIONAL] Podcast: Social Media’s Effect on Democracy, HMDC Presents (Audio Series), October 2025 [Brief Podcast (6 min)], & [Full Podcast (12 min)].
Research Packet: [Champion Briefs].
[Topic-03 (NSDA = LD)] Rewilding in the United States. [Listen!].
[Article/Essay] Social Media & Democracy (Pros & Cons): LLM Article, November 2025 [Essay (PDF)].
[Videos] Social Media & Democracy (Pros & Cons), HMDC Presents (Video Series), October 2025 [Background], [PRO], & [CON].
[OPTIONAL] Podcast: Social Media’s Effect on Democracy, HMDC Presents (Audio Series), October 2025 [Brief Podcast (6 min)], & [Full Podcast (12 min)].
Research Packet: [Champion Briefs].
[Speaking] Please start practicing with your speech outlines.
1. Practice with each of your speeches (3 total). Be ready for class!
Speeches = Social Media: Harmful (4 min), Social Media: Helpful (4 min), & Assigned Platform (3 min)*
*You get to pick the assigned topic from the above list
2. [Optional] Practice speaking from the Outlines (Social Media):
[Arguments], [Rebuttals], [Rejoinders], & [Voting Issues].
3. [Optional] Practice speaking from Outlines (Lawful Access):
[Arguments], [Rebuttals], [Rejoinders], & [Voting Issues]. = soon!
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):
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 November 2025: Registration is open [FYI]
[Topic-01 (NOF)] Social Media is Harmful to Democracy.
[Topic-02 (NSDA)] Allowing law enforcement to access encrypted data files.
[Assigned Platform* Topics] Brain-Computer Interfaces, Water, Digital Minimalism, Micronations, Biodiversity Offsetting, Remote Work, Nuclear Fusion, The Use of AI in Hiring, Memory Manipulation Technology, & Handwriting.
*Assigned Platform Speech is a 3-minute speech (with sources!).
[Article/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-01], & [CON-01].
…
[OPTIONAL] Podcast: Social Media’s Effect on Democracy,
HMDC Presents (Audio Series), October 2025
[Brief Backgrounder (6 min)], & [Full Backgrounder (29 min)].
[Speaking] Please start practicing with your speech outlines.
1. Practice with each of your speeches (3 total). Be ready for class!
Speeches = Social Media: Harmful (4 min), Social Media: Helpful (4 min), & Assigned Platform (3 min)*
*You get to pick the assigned topic from the above list
2. [Optional] Practice speaking from the Outlines (Social Media):
[Arguments], [Rebuttals], [Rejoinders], & [Voting Issues].
3. [Optional] Practice speaking from Outlines (Lawful Access):
[Arguments], [Rebuttals], [Rejoinders], & [Voting Issues]. = soon!
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!