Courses - April - May 2026

3-Day Training Programme for Political Debating Club Members

Overall Objectives

Build strong debating fundamentals

Improve political knowledge, critical thinking, and argument construction

Develop persuasive communication and confident public speaking

Practice live debates with structured feedback

Strengthen teamwork, research discipline, and strategic thinking

Day 1 – Foundations of Effective Political Debate

Morning Session (9:30 – 12:30)

1. Introduction to Political Debate

Purpose of political debating

Debate styles overview (Oxford, Parliamentary, Public Forum, Town-Hall)

Roles: Proposition/Opposition, Speakers, Timekeeper, Chair

2. Understanding Political Spectrum & Ideologies

Left, centre-left, centre, centre-right, right

Libertarianism, social democracy, conservatism, nationalism, green politics, liberalism

How ideology influences policy arguments

3. Core Components of an Argument

Claim

Evidence

Impact

Rebuttal

Framing & narrative shaping

Activity:
Small groups build a 3-minute argument on a simple topic, present, and receive quick feedback.

Afternoon Session (1:30 – 4:30)

4. Public Speaking Skills

Voice projection & pacing

Controlling nerves

Tone, emphasis, and rhetorical devices

Using stories and analogies effectively

5. Persuasive Techniques

Pathos, Logos, Ethos

Framing issues to your advantage

Building credibility

Activity:
Each participant delivers a 1-minute persuasive speech using one rhetorical strategy.

Day 2 – Research, Strategy, and Rapid Response Skills

Morning Session (9:30 – 12:30)

1. Research & Fact-Checking

How to prepare for political topics

Evaluating sources & avoiding misinformation

Using statistics and policy references effectively

Constructing "fact files" for debate preparation

2. Argument Construction Workshop

Building an argument tree

Anticipating opposing arguments

Creating strong rebuttals and counter-rebuttals

Activity:
Teams prepare arguments for a policy motion (e.g., housing, climate, education).

Afternoon Session (1:30 – 4:30)

3. Debate Strategy & Team Coordination

Allocating speaker roles

Creating a coherent team narrative

Structured note-taking during debates

Using points of information (POIs) smartly

4. Rapid Response and Thinking on Your Feet

Handling hostile questions

Staying calm under pressure

Turning difficult points to your advantage

Activity:
Rapid-fire 30-second rebuttal drills.

Day 3 – Practical Debating & Simulation Day

Morning Session (9:30 – 12:30)

1. Mock Debate Preparation

Teams assigned

Motions selected (e.g., "This House Believes local councils should have expanded emergency powers," etc.)

Research and preparation phase

Speech writing and role assignment

2. Coaching Clinics

Breakout groups with coaching on:

• Speech structure
• Body language
• Voice control
• Rebuttal timing

Afternoon Session (1:30 – 4:30)

3. Full Mock Debates

Chairperson introduced

Timed speeches

Points of information

Audience/Q&A round

4. Feedback & Performance Review

Individual feedback on:

• Clarity
• Logic
• Delivery
• Confidence
• Persuasiveness
• Team coordination

5. Closing Session

Certificates if required

Optional: Assign ongoing debate topics for weekly practice

Group discussion on learning outcomes & next steps