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GET INVOLVED WITH DYNAMIS

How Do I Get Involved with Dynamis Speech & Debate?

Dynamis Speech & Debate is open to homeschool students ages 12 and older.  We welcome new participants into the club throughout the year but in order to compete in the current season you must begin participation by November 1st of the academic year.  For more information, please contact email Robin Axelberd. 

What Debate Events are Available?

  • ​Team policy

    • Students are paired with a partner for the season; this is the team.

    • The team will write its own Affirmative case, which ideally will be argued throughout the season.

    • The students will also write Negative briefs to be shared with the club to prepare to argue against Affirmative cases.

    • Cases and briefs will be updated throughout the season based on current events, research, and opponents’ Affirmative cases from tournaments.

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Due to the advanced skills required, participation in the following debate styles requires approval from the Club Director, Robin Axelberd.

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  • Lincoln Douglas

    • Students compete individually. 

    • Each student is responsible for writing an Affirmative case.

    • Each student is responsible for writing Negative cases, briefs, and/or evidence.

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  • Parliamentary

    • This is a team event, though partners do not have to be the same as Team Policy

    • Less formal, quicker paced, shorter rounds

    • Resolutions are announced 20 minutes prior to the round. In the 20 minutes, students are able to research the topic using the Internet and prepare for the debate. Teams on the same side of the resolution can work together and they are able to receive input from coaches, parents, siblings, etc. 

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More details about each event can be found at www.StoaUSA.org under the “Get Started” tab.

What Type of Speech Events are Available?

  • Open to ages 12-18

  • Speech categories

    • Interpretive: Duo, Humorous, Open, Dramatic

    • Limited Prep: Impromptu, Extemporaneous, Apologetics, Mars Hill

    • Platform: Original Oratory, Expository, Persuasive

    • Wildcard: Interp in a Box

 

More details about each event can be found at www.StoaUSA.org under the “Get Started” tab.

What Commitments Do Students Need to Make?

  • Team Policy

    • Time outside of club - approximately 2-4 hours/week

    • Partnership - You are committed to a partnership, where each person shares in the workload.

    • Contribute to writing briefs for club

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  • Speech - Depends upon category. For example, Impromptu requires little to no time outside of class, while Apologetics and Mars Hill may require several hours each week outside of class.

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  • Lincoln Douglas

    • Time outside of club - up to 2 hours/week

    • Contributing to cases for club

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  • Tournaments

    • At least two per year - Tournaments start late November/early December. Atlanta-area tournaments will be almost monthly from December through April.

    • Are typically Friday-Saturday, but may be Thursday-Saturday. A competitor *must* be there all day for the entirety of the tournament.

What Commitments Do Parents Need to Make?

  • Club involvement

    • To educate yourself

    • To provide insight/feedback

    • To provide support for practice rounds

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  • Tournament requirements

    • 100% Volunteer run

    • Not a drop-off activity

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  • Student support 

    • Familiarize yourself with the topic

    • Listen to your student noodle through things

    • Keep the focus on the journey, not the destination

    • Practice tough love! Don’t let your kids quit. Speech and debate is hard work, and they may feel defeated at times. But the long-term benefits will be worth it. The only way to get better is by doing it!

What Are the Costs?

 

  • Club fees​ - Our goal is to provide as many students as possible the skills, experiences, and benefits of competitive speech and debate. Like many extracurricular activities, competitive debate (and speech) has on-going costs, especially to participate in tournaments; therefore, I keep tuition at a minimum. Club fees depend upon location.

    • Eastside Academic Studies (Thursdays, 2:30-4:00) Eastside is Team Policy only. $150 per semester + $50 supply fee. Note that Eastside charges a Registration Fee. 

    • Illuminate Academics (Fridays, 10:00-12:00)  $200 per semester + $15 supply fee. This is a one semester class that will teach the basics of debate but without the expectation or commitment of competing at tournaments. This class is offered in partnership with a hybrid homeschool program, Illuminate Academics.

 

  • Tournaments

    • Professional clothing is required for tournaments. For young ladies, a blazer is required; young men need a suit (jacket, dress shirt, tie, slacks, dress shoes).

    • Tournament fees and meals

    • Travel - While we have a number of local tournaments, tournaments are held throughout the country, as close as Nashville and as far as California. It is up to you, your partner and your parents how often and how far you travel.

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