Skip to main content

Debate Daily Schedule

Daily activities shift as the institute progresses, however, the entire program is intensive and does not allow for outside commitments.

Morning

Students focus on learning and practicing through:

  • Topic lectures
  • Strategy discussions
  • Practice debates
Instruction focuses on understanding the annual debate topic, analyzing arguments, and developing effective competitive debate techniques.

Afternoon

Students apply their learning in labs through speech preparation and delivery, small-group collaboration, and guided research. Instructors provide individualized coaching and feedback as students refine arguments, strengthen evidence, and improve speaking delivery.

Evening

Students discuss argument research assignments and divide labor within their labs. Most evenings are spent with

  • Independent research
  • Recorded speech assignments
  • Supplemental instructional content

Faculty remain available for questions and feedback, helping students deepen their topic knowledge and sharpen their delivery skills.

Weekends

Weekend programming varies; for 2026, students had asynchronous lectures to complete, afternoon labs on Saturdays, and rested on Sundays.

Daily Schedule Sample

These schedules reflect the 2026 program which was fully remote; schedule for 2027 is subject to change.

This schedule outlines a full day in the first week of the program.
Time Activity
9 - 10:45 AM Topic lecture #1
11 - Noon Topic lecture #2
1:30 - 2:30 PM Break-out groups, instructors deliver setup instructions for the afternoon’s activity
2:30 - 3:30 PM Students prepare speeches & ask questions
3:30 - 5 PM Students deliver practice speeches, instructors give feedback
5 -5:30 PM Lab groups discuss argument research assignments and divide labor
7 - 9:00 PM Students work on argument research independently, with instructors available to answer questions
This schedule outlines a full day in the second and third weeks of the program.
Time Activity
9 AM - Noon Practice Debates
1:30 - 2:30 PM Students prepare and deliver reworked final speeches from practice debates; receive instructor feedback
2:30 - 4PM Students work independently or in small groups on argument research, with instructors available to answer questions
4 - 5 PM Lab groups meet to discuss progress on research assignments and go over work-in-progress files together
7 - 9 PM Students watch a pre-recorded lecture video, prepare a speech, and record themselves giving that speech. Instructors are available to answer questions, and review speech recordings as they come in, providing written feedback
The last few days of 4-week institute will be devoted to an institute-wide tournament. The days before the tournament will be devoted to finalizing the institute’s arguments and evidence, as well as tournament preparation.
Weeks 5 & 6 resume the format of the first 2 weeks, with lectures in the mornings and labs in the afternoons.