IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
A 3-WEEKEND ONLINE DEBATE FELLOWSHIP
Six live Zoom sessions with Harvard student mentors - build structured arguments, master rebuttal and points of information, and compete in a final debate.
Cohort 1: Dec 12 | Cohort 2: May 15 | Cohort 3: Aug 28
The Young Debaters Fellowship is a 3-weekend online intensive for scholars in Grades 8–12 who want to think clearly, argue with evidence, and speak with conviction.
Built on an evidence-based debating methodology and guided by current Harvard student mentors in a 1:20 small-group format, scholars work through structured practice - constructing arguments, listening actively, handling points of information, and delivering with persuasion.
This isn't a lecture series. Scholars debate, get feedback, and iterate - finishing with a full formal debate, a final competition, a personalised progress report, and a Certificate of Completion.
MENTORED BY
Current Harvard Students
Build evidence-supported arguments, spot logical fallacies, and defend positions with clarity.
Respond to opposing points, handle points of information, and offer constructive challenges under pressure.
Voice, tone, presence and persuasive articulation - communicate a message with conviction.
Personalised end-of-course progress report and a Certificate of Completion on the final debate.
CURRICULUM SCHEDULE
Six live sessions. Every weekend has an essential question, structured practice rounds, and mentor feedback you can act on.
WEEKEND 1
Sat, Dec 12 – Sun, Dec 13
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM EST · Zoom
Build the vocabulary, structure, and confidence to make and defend an argument. Introduce active listening, points of information, and the mechanics of a debate round.
ESSENTIAL QUESTION
What makes an argument actually persuasive - and how do you defend it under pressure?
SATURDAY - LIVE
Making Effective Arguments Claim, evidence, warrant. Live teardown of real speeches - what works, what falls apart under scrutiny.
Making Effective Arguments
Claim, evidence, warrant. Live teardown of real speeches - what works, what falls apart under scrutiny.
Argument Fundamentals Logical fallacies, burden of proof, framing. Practice constructing arguments on beginner-friendly motions.
Argument Fundamentals
Logical fallacies, burden of proof, framing. Practice constructing arguments on beginner-friendly motions.
Active Listening Drills Structured note-taking (flowing), identifying the opponent's strongest point, and steel-manning before responding.
Active Listening Drills
Structured note-taking (flowing), identifying the opponent's strongest point, and steel-manning before responding.
First Practice Round A short structured debate with mentor commentary. Focus: clarity of claim, not polish.
First Practice Round
A short structured debate with mentor commentary. Focus: clarity of claim, not polish.
SUNDAY - LIVE
Handling Challenges Responding to points of information with composure. Common traps and how to sidestep them.
Handling Challenges
Responding to points of information with composure. Common traps and how to sidestep them.
Case Structure 101 How to open, extend, and close a case. Team roles in a full debate.
Case Structure 101
How to open, extend, and close a case. Team roles in a full debate.
Motion Analysis Unpacking motions quickly - definitions, key stakeholders, likely clash points.
Motion Analysis
Unpacking motions quickly - definitions, key stakeholders, likely clash points.
Structured Practice Rounds Second round, longer format. In-depth mentor feedback and target-setting for Weekend 2.
Structured Practice Rounds
Second round, longer format. In-depth mentor feedback and target-setting for Weekend 2.
EXIT OUTCOME
Confidently make and defend a structured argument in a live practice round.
WEEKEND 2
Sat, Dec 19 – Sun, Dec 20
Move from making single arguments to building and delivering a full team case. Introduce rebuttal, counterargument, and the built-in practice debate with mentor feedback.
How do you deliver a first speech, rebut cleanly, and build a case your team can defend together?
The First Speech Openers that set the frame. Signposting, roadmapping, and delivering with presence in the first 60 seconds.
The First Speech
Openers that set the frame. Signposting, roadmapping, and delivering with presence in the first 60 seconds.
Rebuttal & Counterargument Attacking the warrant, not the person. Structured rebuttal templates you can lean on under time pressure.
Rebuttal & Counterargument
Attacking the warrant, not the person. Structured rebuttal templates you can lean on under time pressure.
Structuring a Team Case Splitting arguments across speakers. Consistency of framing across a full team.
Structuring a Team Case
Splitting arguments across speakers. Consistency of framing across a full team.
Case Lab Small-group case-building on a live motion with mentor pair-coaching (1:5 inside the 1:20 cohort).
Case Lab
Small-group case-building on a live motion with mentor pair-coaching (1:5 inside the 1:20 cohort).
Built-In Practice Debate Full formal-style practice debate. Recorded for review.
Built-In Practice Debate
Full formal-style practice debate. Recorded for review.
Targeted Mentor Feedback Stars & Wishes protocol - two strengths, one stretch - from your mentor on your speech and case.
Targeted Mentor Feedback
Stars & Wishes protocol - two strengths, one stretch - from your mentor on your speech and case.