2026-2027 Proposition: Electric vehicles are good for society.

Academic debate is a persuasive speech event centered on the clash of issues. In Public Forum debate, students must be prepared to both advocate for and refute a specific proposition (a statement expressing a judgment or opinion).

Unlike Team Policy debate, a Public Forum proposition does not pose a problem requiring a policy solution. Furthermore, unlike Lincoln-Douglas debate, Public Forum does not focus on arguing core values.

(Note: Public Forum is designed for debaters ages 10 to 13, as of October 1st of the school year. Students who are 9 or 14 on this date may participate with coach approval.)

In Public Forum Debate, there is no prescribed set of burdens that must be met by either team. The goal is to engage in a clash of ideas. Debaters will present their cases (supported by evidence), cross-examine each other, refute each other’s claims, and reiterate their own claims to convince judges to cast a ballot in their favor.

BIBLICAL FOUNDATION

• Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you…. 1Peter 3:15.
• Come now, and let us reason together, says the LORD… Isaiah 1:18a
• Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. Colossians 4:6