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About this Course

The Middle School Public Debate Program (MSPDP) format, created by Claremont McKenna College, is used nationally across middle and elementary debate events. Through this comprehensive course, you will learn both the techniques needed to debate effectively using the MSPDP format and the argumentative skills required for any style of debate.

This course was created for people seeking an introduction to argumentation, public speaking, and everything in between. This course is highly recommended for students aged 9 and older.

This course can be taken by anyone at any time and is free of cost. Fremont Debate Academy is excited to bring this course to you! For any questions, concerns, or feedback, please contact us here.



About Fremont Debate Academy

Fremont Debate Academy (FDA) is an international 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to create a debate & civics program in every school and every district across the world. Over the past ~6 years, our team of over 200+ has impacted ~5000 students, has programs scheduled in 19 states & 8 countries for this fall, and is training teachers from Teach For America (TFA) and Broward County (Florida)! In addition, our volunteer team has aggregated 15,000+ volunteer hours.

Fremont Debate Academy’s studies about its programs exhibit strong results regarding student growth:

  • Students participating in FDA’s debate & civics programs saw a 39.1% improvement in their self-confidence & public speaking skills.
  • Students participating in FDA’s debate & civics programs saw a 45.9% improvement in their knowledge about the world & research skills.
  • 90% of students said participating in FDA’s debate & civics programs has had a positive impact on their academic performance.

Course Contents

  • 1

    Module 1: Introduction to Debate!

    • Navigating this Course

    • Why Debate?

    • Introduction to Debate: Key Takeaways

    • Introductory Survey

    • Course Support
  • 2

    Module 2: Argument Structure & Refutes

    • Argument Structure: Video

    • Argument Structure: Key Takeaways

    • Argument Structure: Content Check MCQ

    • Argument Structure: Content Check FRQ

    • Argument Structure: FRQ Answers

    • Refuting: Video

    • Refuting: Key Takeaways

    • Refuting: Content Check MCQ

    • Refuting: Content Check FRQ

    • Refuting: FRQ Answers

    • Module Quiz 2
  • 3

    Module 3: Speaker Roles

    • Prop/Opp 1: Video

    • Prop/Opp 1: Key Takeaways

    • Prop/Opp 1: Content Check MCQ

    • Prop/Opp 1 Content Check: FRQ

    • Prop/Opp 1: FRQ Answers

    • Prop/Opp 2: Video

    • Prop/Opp 2: Key Takeaways

    • Prop/Opp 2: Content Check MCQ

    • Prop/Opp 2: Content Check FRQ

    • Prop/Opp 2: FRQ Answers

    • Prop/Opp 3: Video

    • Prop/Opp 3: Key Takeaways

    • Prop/Opp 3: Content Check MCQ

    • Prop/Opp 3: Content Check FRQ

    • Prop/Opp 3: FRQ Answers

    • Definition Scenarios

    • Module Quiz 3
  • 4

    Module 4: Heckles, POI's & Flowing

    • Heckles & POI's: Video

    • Heckles & POI's: Key Takeaways

    • Heckles & POI's: Content Check MCQ

    • Heckles & POIs: Content Check FRQ

    • Heckles & POIs: FRQ Answers

    • Flowing: Video

    • Flowing: Key Takeaways

    • Flowing: Practice

    • Flow this Debate!

    • Flowing: Content Check MCQ

    • Flowing: Content Check FRQ

    • Flowing: FRQ Answers

    • Module Quiz 4
  • 5

    Module 5: Impacting

    • Importance of the 3rd Speech: Video

    • Importance of the 3rd Speech: Key Takeaways

    • Importance of the Third Speech: Content Check FRQ

    • Importance of the 3rd Speech: Content Check MCQ

    • Importance of the Third Speech: FRQ Answers

    • Impact Calculus: Video

    • Impact Calculus: Content Check MCQ

    • Impact Calculus: Key Takeaways

    • Impact Calculus: Content Check FRQ

    • Impact Calculus: FRQ Answers

    • Module 5 Quiz
  • 6

    Module 6: Advanced Topics

    • Unfair Definitions: Video

    • Unfair Definitions: Key Takeaways

    • Unfair Definitions: Content Check MCQ

    • Unfair Definitions: Content Check FRQ

    • Unfair Definitions: FRQ Answers

    • Counterplans: Video

    • Counterplans: Key Takeaways

    • Counterplans: Content Check MCQ

    • Counterplans: Content Check FRQ

    • Counterplans: FRQ Answers

    • Module 6 Quiz
  • 7

    Module 7: Creating a Case

    • Example Case File

    • Submit Your Case File Here!

    • General Case/Plan Structure
  • 8

    Module 8: Going Forward!

    • Tournaments

    • Exit Survey

    • FDA YouTube Channel

    • Stay Involved!