About Eastview Debate
Basic Information
The Eastview Debate team is coached by Mr. Hering, an Eastview social studies teacher. The debate season runs from September-early December. Informational meetings are held the second week of school. The team is open to anyone who wants to join and come to practice.
High school debates have set formats to create a fair and challenging contest for both sides. Debates are centered on a resolution (a controversial statement). Resolutions are about a variety of topics.
In every debate the affirmative side speaks in favor of the resolution and the negative side speaks against it. A debate takes about an hour and consists of a series of speeches for and against the resolution. There is also cross-examination.
Each debate has a judge who listens carefully to the arguments presented and chooses a winner. Most debate competition takes place at tournaments held from October-December. Many schools attend each tournament. The debaters who compile the best won-lost record are usually recognized and awarded trophies.
Like other sports and activities, the debate team has regular practices and competitions. Because debate is more individually based, there is more flexibility in scheduling. Typically, debaters practice two days per week. Practices usually run from 2:45-5:00, but alternate practice times are sometimes arranged. At practice, debaters learn more about the debate topic through research and discussion, work on their speaking and arguments, and have a little fun in the process.
Debaters choose which tournaments to attend. Highly involved team members will usually go to about 6-8 weekend tournaments. Tournaments are held during the day on Saturday in October-December. Some weekday tournaments are also held after school.
CONTACT INFO:
Todd Hering
Eastview Room: A300, Office A308
E-mail: Todd.Hering@District196.org