Public Forum

Off the Coast of Thailand Summer 2018

What is Public Forum Debate?

Public Forum is the newest form of debate we do at Lexington. It is a two person activity which is specifically designed for the lay audience. When it was first created, Public Forum could only be judged by high school teachers and people with no previous connection to debate. Even thought today college students and others with previous debate experience do judge public forum, its essential character has not changed much, at least not in the Northeast. Public Forum has a Sept-Oct topic, a Nov-Dec topic and then changes topics every month, starting in January and running through the rest of the school year. Students are expected to present their evidence and arguments slowly and persuasively. The speeches are short and in the end, must focus on a limited number of issues. Parents are encouraged to be trained and then to volunteer to judge Public Forum. In class, both Beginning and Advanced students focus on the argument construction and presentation skills specific to Public Forum. They will also engage in frequent in class practice debates to allow all students to improve their speaking, writing, listening and critical thinking skills.