Debate

Hockaday’s debate program emphasizes the art and skills of persuasion, logic and argumentation as well as competitive success. Students learn critical analysis and research techniques applied to competition in Lincoln-Douglas and Public Forum Debate. Students at Hockaday first take a debate course in either Seventh or Eighth, and then in Upper School debate is offered as a Fine Art elective. Class work includes philosophy, current events, ethics and effective public and extemporaneous speaking. Hockaday’s debate team participates in tournaments throughout Texas and in a number of national tournaments with notable success. Students also learn important leadership skills in hosting the Hockaday tournament in November and an exclusive round-robin tournament dedicated to women in high school debate.

Debate

Debate Class