Public Forum Debate
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The SNFI treats Public Forum as the distinct event it is, and the program has its own dedicated instructional staff as well as a specific division director and unique curriculum developed for Public Forum. The program is divided into three one-week sessions that are organized progressively:
Week one is a special focus program for beginners and early-intermediate students only, which means these students will be tracked with peers at their own experience level allowing the whole group to accomplish rapid academic progress, yet as a result of the similar skill and experience of the students to move at a comfortable instructional pace and with a friendly and nurturing atmosphere.
Week two is the main session, which we anticipate to be the largest of the three, with expected enrollment of 25-40 students for this particular session. There will be at least three instructors for this session, and perhaps more as additional students are added. Enrollment likely will be capped at around 40 students due to space considerations.
Week three is a supplemental program focused primarily on practice rounds. After the third week program, a student will have had experience equivalent to several regular tournaments! In addition to practice rounds, several special topics appropriate for rising varsity level students shall be covered, such as advanced strategy and extensive consideration of advanced crossfire and cross-ex techniques.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT PROGRAMS
Students may do one week, two weeks, or all three weeks of the program.
A beginning level student who does all three weeks can expect to leave the program significantly improved, having progressed from a beginner or intermediate level student to what we would consider to be a low to mid-level varsity debater in just three weeks.
More advanced students may wish to do both the second and third weeks, but should not do the first week given that their skill level likely exceeds the norm for that group. It is recommended that students who wish to attend the third week also attend the second week, as some of the materials covered in the second week will be used during the third week.
Third week can be attended independently of the other programs if and only if a student is highly motivated and is prepared to arrive at the program having completed significant independent preparatory work. Any student interested in third week only should contact us for more information (see menu bar and click "contact us").
Upcoming Camps
A special session directed by renowned debate coach Les Phillips which is specially targeted towards novice and intermediate public forum competitors. Students begin with the fundamentals and progress through the curriculum at a comfortable pace. The goal of this session is to have students who come in as beginners or near beginners functioning as mid to high level intermediate students by the time the regular session begins. Participation in the 2nd week core session that follows is highly r ...
The Core Program for Public Forum is designed for students from beginning through advanced level. Students will be grouped by experience and competitive success within teaching groups so that each lab can progress as a unit as rapidly as possible.
The program is designed to accommodate 25-40 students with three to four specially-designated staff. Early indications are that this Core Program will completely fill, and it is unlikely that additional spots will be able to be added due to spac ...
This session emphasizes practice rounds and improvement through in-depth critiques as the central theme of the program. Students will receive several practice rounds per day on average, and by the end of the week will have literally completed the equivalent of several tournaments worth of practice--all with extensive feedback.
Several special topics shall be covered during the program, including:
- Crossfire techniques: A specially designed practicum on how to make the most of these ...