Public Forum is the most popular type of debate on the high school level.  It is a two-person team debate style with rounds lasting approximately 45 minutes.  The national topic for public forum debate changes each month during the year, so that students are constantly working on the current topic and working toward the next topic.  Given the frequency with which the topics change, public forum debate does not place as high of an emphasis on in-depth research of a single topic.  The fact that the topics change frequently makes it possible for students to succeed in public forum debate if they can only participate at certain times during the year.  It also allows students to learn about a lot of different issues.  Public forum topics tend to be written in a “yes/no” format rather than the “problem/solution” format of policy debate topics.  For example a public forum immigration topic might be “Resolved: States should be able to enforce their borders independent of the federal government”, where a policy topic might be “Resolved: the US Federal Government should develop a comprehensive policy to address the immigration crisis.”  Like policy debate, public forum debaters work with partners, give constructive and rebuttal speeches, and engage in cross-examination. 

The HDW provides instructions for students of varying levels of experience. From learning basics to advanced strategies, the workshop meets students at their current level and propels them to the next level. Students will participate in lectures from knowledgeable faculty members, both on topic issues and on public forum debate strategies and techniques. The bulk of the work will occur in labs.  The labs will focus on research skills, argumentation development and strategy, and how to deliver effective and persuasive speeches. Students will be assigned to labs with other students of similar background and experience.  Students will get multiple opportunities to practice – through speeches, practice rounds and the workshop tournament rounds.