Step 1: Choose a topic and a side

Click here for a list of topics

Step 2: Write your speech using the following template

Claim: The label for your argument

Reason: A valid, logical line of reasoning to support your claim

Evidence: Information from a reliable source that supports your claim. Examples of reliable sources include studies, statistics, research centers, trusted think tanks, peer-reviewed scientific journals, unbiased and independent media sources, and scientific periodicals.

Impact: The logical result or consequence of the policy you are arguing for or against or the short- and long-term effects of a particular situation.

Step 3: Check your speech for any bias, propaganda, fallacies in logic and reasoning, generalizations, hasty conclusions, or rushed judgments.

Please think carefully and evaluate your work honestly. Rushed judgments are conclusions based on how we feel about things, not on science or evidence. Examples of bias include any information that seems to be leading you to a particular conclusion or seems to have the intent of influencing others to accept a specific agenda. Examples of generalizations include stereotypes and grouping a subset of people into blocks and labeling them. Fallacies in logic and reasoning include red herrings, whataboutism, bandwagon arguments, slippery slope fallacies, circular reasoning, ad hominem arguments, straw man arguments, false dilemmas, and conspiracy theories. A good list of examples of logical fallacies may be found here.

Step 4: Send your speech to us for grading and evaluation!

Speeches will be graded based on the content and structure, so please use all four steps in the system (claim, reason, evidence, impact) when drafting, editing, and delivering your speech. Speakers will be awarded points for using evidence from reliable sources, for civility, and for varying their tone to emphasize specific ideas they want their audience to remember most. Speakers who think of and address arguments from the other side will be given higher points than those who ignore them - so be sure to think about what people on the other side will say and address that in your speech.

Speeches that include the following will lose points: misinformation or propaganda, unreliable (or no) sources, mass generalizations and stereotypes, ad hominems, whataboutism, faulty or circular reasoning, logical fallacies, not handling the points that stand in opposition to their own, incivility or offensive content (a good speaker knows how to persuade without being diminutive and demeaning) any other fallacies in logic or reasoning. Speeches that do not address the topic, have little to no content, or seem to have been created for the purposes of trolling will not be considered.