Learn the art of argumentation and hone your presentation skills as you get involved in the democratic debate process. Participate in a number of exercises, including a Mock Presidential Debate and Mini Debates -- and learn how to defend issues that affect our faith and culture.

How to get the most out of Debate and Argumentation with Kevin O’Brien:

• Watch each Recorded class session.

• Complete all quizzes and assignments.

• The reading for each week can be found in that week's module.

• Repeat for each until course is completed.

• Once the course is completed to the parent's satisfaction, there is a Certificate of Completion at the end to be filled in for your records. Homeschool Connections does not provide record keeping.

Total Classes: 12

Duration: 55 minutes

Prerequisite: None

Suggested Grade Level: 9th to 12th grade

Suggested Credit: One full semester of Debate, Speech, or Communications

Instructor: Kevin O’Brien

Course Description: How can young people learn to argue reasonably for what they believe in a world that’s filled with angry arguments? In this course, students will learn the art of argumentation and “forensics” and will be challenged to hone their skills of presentation and oral communication as they participate in a number of exercises, including a Mock Presidential Debate and Mini Debates on issues that affect our faith and culture. This course is both fun and challenging!

Course outline:

1. Introduction

2. How Argumentation Works

3. Preparation for First Debate

4. First Live Classroom Debate - Part I

5. First Live Classroom Debate - Part II

6. Errors of Logic and Argumentation

7. How to Find and Evaluate Evidence

8. Group Discussion - Part I

9. Group Discussion - Part II

10. Arguing on the Internet

11. Final In-Class Debate - Part I

12. Final In-Class Debate  - Part II

Course Materials: Handouts in the form of PDF files provided free by the instructor

Homework: Assignments and readings and debate prep. Two to three hours per week on average. Students will also be required to watch and report on all Presidential Debates.

Technical Help: If you have any technical trouble or questions about course content, please email us at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com.

©2023 Homeschool Connections and Kevin O’Brien. All rights reserved. This course is designed by Kevin O’Brien.

• This material is only to be used for its intended purpose by active subscribers of Homeschool Connections. Any other use without explicit permission is in violation of the seventh commandment (yes, the 7th commandment) and in violation of US and International copyright laws.

• You may print or download to local hard disk extracts for your personal homeschool and non-commercial use only. This is not to be used for homeschool co-ops without express written permission from Homeschool Connections.