Stanford National Forensic Institute

The SNFI is proud to offer a new policy debate program for beginners starting this summer. The Beginner’s Lab was previously a segment of our Core program but is now a separate group at camp. Taught by the Stanford Debate Society's Assistant Policy Debate Coach Jake Ziering, this lab will teach students the core principles of policy debate, provide a first in-depth glimpse into the evidence production process (all digital), and instill the love for policy debate that all of our staff shares. The core two-week program is designed to introduce major concepts while fitting into the tightest of summer schedules while the extended week provides students several additional practice debates and a mini-end of camp tournament. We strongly encourage students who plan on debating during the school year to sign up for all three weeks as it guarantees them substantial practice time.

Main features of our Beginner’s Program:

• Introduction to Policy Debate concepts using curriculum designed in conjunction with our site director, Corey Turoff, a full-time teacher at the Head Royce School in Oakland.

• Introduction to research methods by guiding students through the production of one small affirmative case and a small negative off-case position.

• Introduction to electronic file production that most high schools have shifted towards using in the last two years.

• An Extended Week with opportunity for additional practice debates and argument seminars.

Admission to this lab is limited by our ability to staff it with quality educators with experience teaching beginning debaters. If the lab fills before we can find an additional instructor, some applications may not be accepted. Please apply early! Make sure to select the Beginner’s Lab option on the application to be considered for admittance.