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Toronto Debate Academy

Toronto Debate Academy

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Resources

We encourage students to make use of the following resources, published by the Toronto Debate Academy.

Please note that some people experience problems attempting to download these resources from behind a school board firewall. If you have any issue downloading these materials ensure you are not accessing them from a YRDSB or TDSB domain

Beginner Guide to Debate

British Parliamentary Debate Guide Book

WSDC Debate Guide Book

Intermediate Guide to Debate

British Parliamentary Cheat Sheet

British Parliamentary Level 2 Cheat Sheet

British Parliamentary Intermediate Cheat Sheet

Guide Book: International Relations

Guide Book: Refutation

Guide Book: Note Taking

Public Forum Guide


External Links

Some of the better advice out there for new debaters

How to Break at an International (and break barriers): Women’s Edition

Canadian Organizations and Style Guides

Canadian Student Debating Federation

Ontario Student Debating Union

CUSID Central Debating Guide

CUSID National Debating Guide

Debate Camp

International Resources and Competitions

World Schools Debating Championships and blog

Global Debate Blog

International Debate Education Association (IDEA)

World Universities Debating Championship: Constitution

World Universities Debating Championship: Sample Speaker Scale

German Parliamentary Style Guide

Testimonials

  • "Toronto Debate Academy is incredible simply
    because of the quality of debaters it has, and the
    community it creates around them. It is worthwhile to
    attend simply because you are presented with the
    opportunity to meet some of the smartest people in
    the GTA. The most pressing reason to attend the
    TDA, however, is because of the head instructor,
    Rudi Lof. The man is a pleasure to learn from, and
    his mind is like an oasis of knowledge. TDA has
    changed the way I look at the world, and I would
    urge anyone interested in learning to check it out."

    -Raunak Gera, Grade 10, Richmond Hill High School
  • "Debating allows someone to open up their mind;
    you are taught to argue any position that you are
    given, and as a consequence you become much
    more learned in the arguments for both sides of the
    issue, whatever it may be. To embrace debating is,
    to a certain extent, to embrace a noble sense of
    humility; although you go into a debate sure that you
    are right, you leave with a more universal view on
    issues; debate allows us to shed away our
    preconceptions on how the world is or how it should
    be and puts our values to the test, a worthy and
    fulfilling endeavour for anyone. Rudi Lof is awesome."

    -Jack Ding, Grade 11, Pierre Elliot Trudeau
    Secondary School
  • "Thank you for such a great workshop! I could tell
    that students were "taking it all in". What a great way
    to start my rebuilding of a Debating Empire at
    Langstaff!"

    - Michael Schmidt, teacher, Langstaff Secondary
    School
  • "Before taking up debate, I found it difficult to
    articulate my point of view persuasively and
    accurately. However, after attending workshops,
    participating in regular classes, and practicing in
    real tournaments, I have become far better at
    expressing view points, even those which are not
    my own. Debate made my public speaking more
    powerful and useful. Even within school, and other
    extracurricular activities, the skills I have developed
    are still useful."

    - Logan Ye, Grade 10, Victoria Park Secondary School
  • "Learning from Rudi has really been an invaluable
    experience that really accelerated my progress as a
    debater. Besides his wealth of experience and
    knowledge, he is an amazing teacher. I definitely
    would recommend debate classes for anyone looking
    to go that extra mile."

    - David Zhao, Grade 10, Bond Academy
  • "The seminar was very helpful, the tips you gave us
    were relevant and accurate, and the observations and
    comments on the debate were astute. On behalf of
    Richmond Hill High thanks for a great seminar!"

    - Bobby Tzonev, Grade 12, Richmond Hill High School
  • "Wonderful experience gained at your workshop. You
    really gave some great advice, to let me step up my
    game before the season starts. Thanks TDA!"

    -Leon Li, Grade 11, Bayview Secondary School
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