Debate
The Westminster debate team was started in 1987 by Dr. John Bartlett (Interim Headmaster). Through the years it has offered Westminster students the opportunity to develop their skills in critical thinking, research, and argumentation. Our hope is that they will use these debate skills and experiences to serve the Lord in His kingdom. Novice and Varsity Debate is offered as an elective course in the fall semester. The following information provides a snapshot of what Westminster’s program entails. The current debate coach is Craig Johnson.
Debate Team Roster
2011 Schedule & Results
Debate Founders Club
Policy Debate
Westminster’s debaters compete in policy debate. In this debate format, a team of two debaters competes in each tournament by arguing both for (affirmative) and against (negative) a predetermined annual resolution. These resolutions focus on U.S. government policy (either domestic or international) and are selected by a coalition of several national debate organizations each year (see below). This debate format requires teamwork and intense research preparation. Debaters are expected to both provide current evidence to support their arguments and organize their positions in a standard format. This is the most technical of the three debate formats.
2010-11 Resolution
Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially reduce its military and/or police presence in one or more of the following: South Korea, Japan, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Iraq, Turkey
Lincoln Douglas Debate
This debate format is focused on ethical issues and values (below are sample resolutions). The format is for individual debaters and the topic changes throughout the year. Our program is just starting to offer debaters the opportunity to participate in this format.
Resolved: States ought not possess nuclear weapons.
Resolved: The abuse of illegal drugs ought to be treated as a matter of public health, not of criminal justice.
Public Forum Debate
Public forum (also known as Crossfire Debate) is the newest debate format (2 person teams) which focuses on topics of national importance in a manner in which a “common person” would understand. The format includes shorter speeches and places emphasis on the “crossfire” questioning component. Resolutions change each month (samples below). Westminster is exploring the possibility of offering this as an option for debaters.
Resolved: Allowing deep water offshore oil drilling is in the best interest of the United States.
Resolved: NATO presence improves the lives of Afghan citizens.
