Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need prior experience/knowledge in order to join debate?
A: Nope! Central Debate is designed to take students who have no prior experience with debate, public speaking, or government policy, and turn them into experts. Our coaching staff will prepare you in practices for competition. Debaters competing for the first time compete in the "Novice" division against other first-year students. In your second year of competing, you graduate to Varsity debate. Many students at Central have won major awards in their first year of debate with no prior experience.
Q: When does the debate team meet/practice?
A: The debate team holds 3 practices in a full school week during the competitive season, usually on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Debate practice runs from after school until 5pm. Debate meets in Room 304 at Central High School (Mr. Colburn's room).
Q: When does the debate team compete?
A; Most debate competitions are on the weekends. Most Wisconsin debate tournaments run Saturday. Because tournaments are all over Wisconsin, we often have to leave early in the morning, but the van rides are surprisingly fun. Central occasionally travels to regional tournaments outside of Wisconsin, these tournaments are overnight competitions--we leave Friday morning and return Saturday night or Sunday morning.
Q: When do I join/ how long is the debate season?
The Wisconsin debate season runs during the first semester--from September to January, usually culminating with the Wisconsin State Debate Tournament on Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. Central Debate traditionally recruits during the first two weeks of school, and if you express interest by mid-October, we can often get you up and competing in time for a successful season. We're always interested in recruiting for the next season, so even if it's too late for this year, contact us or stop by a practice and see what's going on, and we can put you on a contact list for next season!
Q: What do you debate about? What is the topic?
Policy debate competitions use a year-long resolution as the central topic of debate. The 2024-25 resolution is "Resolved: The United States federal government should significantly strengthen its protection of domestic intellectual property rights in copyrights, patents, and/or trademarks." However, student arguments spread broadly from that based on interest. Outside of competition, Central debaters can be found arguing about anything from profound philosophical questions to the best restaurants in town.
A: Nope! Central Debate is designed to take students who have no prior experience with debate, public speaking, or government policy, and turn them into experts. Our coaching staff will prepare you in practices for competition. Debaters competing for the first time compete in the "Novice" division against other first-year students. In your second year of competing, you graduate to Varsity debate. Many students at Central have won major awards in their first year of debate with no prior experience.
Q: When does the debate team meet/practice?
A: The debate team holds 3 practices in a full school week during the competitive season, usually on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Debate practice runs from after school until 5pm. Debate meets in Room 304 at Central High School (Mr. Colburn's room).
Q: When does the debate team compete?
A; Most debate competitions are on the weekends. Most Wisconsin debate tournaments run Saturday. Because tournaments are all over Wisconsin, we often have to leave early in the morning, but the van rides are surprisingly fun. Central occasionally travels to regional tournaments outside of Wisconsin, these tournaments are overnight competitions--we leave Friday morning and return Saturday night or Sunday morning.
Q: When do I join/ how long is the debate season?
The Wisconsin debate season runs during the first semester--from September to January, usually culminating with the Wisconsin State Debate Tournament on Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. Central Debate traditionally recruits during the first two weeks of school, and if you express interest by mid-October, we can often get you up and competing in time for a successful season. We're always interested in recruiting for the next season, so even if it's too late for this year, contact us or stop by a practice and see what's going on, and we can put you on a contact list for next season!
Q: What do you debate about? What is the topic?
Policy debate competitions use a year-long resolution as the central topic of debate. The 2024-25 resolution is "Resolved: The United States federal government should significantly strengthen its protection of domestic intellectual property rights in copyrights, patents, and/or trademarks." However, student arguments spread broadly from that based on interest. Outside of competition, Central debaters can be found arguing about anything from profound philosophical questions to the best restaurants in town.
Q: The topic sounds boring. What if I’m not interested in it?
A: The resolution is just a starting point. There are many subtopics within the broad resolution that students can choose to pursue, from politics to legal issues, to radical activism and philosophy. Students can almost always find arguments that inspire them.
Q: How much does it cost to compete on the debate team?
A: You don't need to pay to participate or compete with Central Debate. The school or fundraising covers the cost of entry fees and transportation. On some regional overnight trips, we sometimes ask families who can afford it to contribute to hotel fees, but no Central debater will ever be turned away due to lack of funds. Debaters usually pay for food on debate trips.
Q: Can I participate in debate alongside other extracurricular activities?
A: Yes! Although some sports and extracurriculars conflict with practice and competition times, we have successfully helped students balance every activity Central offers. Current Central debaters have also participated in gymnastics, show choir, tennis, orchestra, band, soccer, robotics, art club, FEM club, GSA, aquaponics, student senate, jazz band, and more. If you have specific questions, reach out on the Contact Page or to [email protected].
Q: How much work is competing for the debate team?
A: It's up to you. Debaters can choose their commitment level. The number of tournaments you attend is up to you. Debate is a competitive activity, so if you want to compete at the top level, putting lots of hard work into debate can pay off. If you want to hang out and have a good time, you're very welcome to do so!
Q: Is it too late for me to join the debate team?
A: Our competitive season runs from September to January, and our traditional recruiting push runs through the end of September. We are certainly open to people joining the team after that--first-time debaters who joined the team in October and even early November have still qualified to State Debate. If you become interested after that time, please still contact us! We are always building a contact list for the next season! And we absolutely take new debaters at any stage in high school--juniors and seniors joining the debate team for the first time have been some of our most successful debaters!
Q: How do I join the debate team?
A: Reach out to us via email or our contact page, or just show up to Room 304 after school on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday during the season, or Monday after school during the offseason!
A: The resolution is just a starting point. There are many subtopics within the broad resolution that students can choose to pursue, from politics to legal issues, to radical activism and philosophy. Students can almost always find arguments that inspire them.
Q: How much does it cost to compete on the debate team?
A: You don't need to pay to participate or compete with Central Debate. The school or fundraising covers the cost of entry fees and transportation. On some regional overnight trips, we sometimes ask families who can afford it to contribute to hotel fees, but no Central debater will ever be turned away due to lack of funds. Debaters usually pay for food on debate trips.
Q: Can I participate in debate alongside other extracurricular activities?
A: Yes! Although some sports and extracurriculars conflict with practice and competition times, we have successfully helped students balance every activity Central offers. Current Central debaters have also participated in gymnastics, show choir, tennis, orchestra, band, soccer, robotics, art club, FEM club, GSA, aquaponics, student senate, jazz band, and more. If you have specific questions, reach out on the Contact Page or to [email protected].
Q: How much work is competing for the debate team?
A: It's up to you. Debaters can choose their commitment level. The number of tournaments you attend is up to you. Debate is a competitive activity, so if you want to compete at the top level, putting lots of hard work into debate can pay off. If you want to hang out and have a good time, you're very welcome to do so!
Q: Is it too late for me to join the debate team?
A: Our competitive season runs from September to January, and our traditional recruiting push runs through the end of September. We are certainly open to people joining the team after that--first-time debaters who joined the team in October and even early November have still qualified to State Debate. If you become interested after that time, please still contact us! We are always building a contact list for the next season! And we absolutely take new debaters at any stage in high school--juniors and seniors joining the debate team for the first time have been some of our most successful debaters!
Q: How do I join the debate team?
A: Reach out to us via email or our contact page, or just show up to Room 304 after school on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday during the season, or Monday after school during the offseason!