Speech and Debate

"Rhetoric is the art of ruling the minds of men." Plato

Since the time of the ancient Greeks, rhetoric, speech, and debate have been seen as one of the most powerful practices in which one can engage. Not only did effective speech allow one to open his mind to the opinions of others, but it was also instrumental in swaying the beliefs of the masses when the situation demanded it.

This history has shaped a good deal of the development of ThinkTank Learning 's Speech and Debate course. ThinkTank, of course, has modernized the class in order to focus on the most relevant aspects of contemporary rhetoric: advanced discussions of argument construction and refutation; a survey of legal theory and western political philosophy; and confidence-building for future public speaking.

With schools and classes as large and competitive as they are, there are very few chances for your child to be heard. When they do get this chance, doesn't it make sense that they are as well prepared for it as possible?

Course Content

Concepts and theories of argumentation
Structures of different debates
Various techniques of approaching different debate topics
Thoughts organization and argument preparation
Critical thinking and analysis

Cupertino Center Schedule

Session One

Students	20 students
When	June 23th - July 23th Mondays and Wednesday 5:00-7:30PM
Mock Debates	July 12th; Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM July 19th; Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM July 26th; Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Hours	over 37 hours - 25 hours of instruction, over 12 hours of debate

Session Two

Students	20 students
When	July 28th - August 27th Mondays and Wednesday 5:00-7:30PM
Mock Debates	August 9th; Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM August 16th; Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM August 23rd; Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Hours	over 37 hours - 25 hours of instruction, over 12 hours of debate

Fremont Center Schedule

Session One

Students	20 students
When	June 24th - July 24th Tuesday and Thursday 5:30-8:00PM
Mock Debates	July 12th; Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM July 19th; Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM July 26th; Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Hours	over 37 hours - 25 hours of instruction, over 12 hours of debate

Session Two

Students	20 students
When	July 29th - August 28th Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:30-8:00PM
Mock Debates	August 9th; Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM August 16th; Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM August 23rd; Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Hours	over 37 hours - 25 hours of instruction, over 12 hours of debate

Special Discounts:

First 5 sign ups: Get a FREE 1-hour consultation with our Senior College Admission Consultant.
Super Early Bird Discount: Sign up before April 30, 2008 to get $80 off. (only for S&D Class)
Early Bird Discount: Sign up before May 26, 2008 to get $40 off. (only for S&D Class)
Returning Students: All former or current students of ThinkTank Learning will receive $40-off. (Cannot be applied with the Early Bird Discount)
Referral Prizes: If you refer a friend, both you and your friend will receive $40 off.

Who Are The Instructors?

Carol Green

A Short Note From Our Instructors

The speech and debate class will cover the basics of argumentation, research, case-writing, and presentation that are involved in competitive high school debate. Topics covered will include a survey of legal theory and western political philosophy, as well as advanced discussions of argument construction and refutation. Students will learn to access professional journals and legal and philosophical treatises, and to use what they read as foundation for clear and persuasive arguments. The course will culminate in practice debates that will leave students prepared for future participation in high school competitive debate.