Purpose

Purpose: This class is intended for middle school students as a fun introduction to rhetoric with an emphasis on public speaking, debate, and mock trial.  It is a stepping-stone to high school level classes such as Classical Speech and Mock Trial competition.  All three units will focus on developing students’ critical thinking, analytical abilities, and communication skills.

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Speech:
In the fall, students will get more comfortable with public speaking and learn about the various types of speeches, focusing on informative and persuasive speeches.  Students will write and deliver both an informative speech and a persuasive speech.  

Debate:
During the winter, students will learn about debate format, research, and argumentation. Students will conduct debate research and prepare their cases for Lincoln-Douglas class debates in February.

Mock Trial:
In the spring, students will start an introductory unit on mock trial. Students will be introduced to civil and criminal trials, the rules of evidence, and how to conduct direct and cross-examinations. Students will have the opportunity to act as witnesses and/or attorneys during a mock trial held in class in May.