Workshoppe Schedule

Tri-State Debate League Workshoppe

Saturday 26 September 2026 · The Brearley School, 610 East 83rd Street, New York

Breakfast is served from 8:30am, sessions begin at 9:20am, lunch is provided, and we finish at 5:00pm. Pick one track and stay in it for the day.

Rooms are on floors 2 to 4. The Common Room and the Lodge, on the ground floor, are used only for the welcome, lunch and the demonstration debate.

Tracks

Intro Policy A · Room 2H

For students new to debate, or with middle school experience, who plan to compete in Policy Debate. Collegiate's new students should follow this track. Runs in parallel with Policy B; the two rooms see the same lectures in opposite order.

Intro Policy B · Room 2G

For students new to debate, or with middle school experience, who plan to compete in Policy Debate. Identical content to Policy A, delivered in the opposite order so that each room stays within Brearley's room capacity.

Scrimmage Rounds · Rooms on floors 2 to 4

For varsity students who want competitive rounds rather than instruction. Students schedule into rounds across the day. Check Tabroom pairings for your room.

Schedule

Breakfast · 8:30am to 9:00am

Welcome · 9:00am to 9:15am · All attendees, Common Room

Session 1 · 9:20am to 10:45am

Intro Policy A, Room 2H · Introduction to CX / Policy Debate

Learn the basics of Policy Debate: the mechanics of the event, how a round is structured, the roles of each speech, and what evidence and cards are. Includes speaking drills. Led by Donny Peters.

Intro Policy B, Room 2G · Healthcare Topic Lecture

An introduction to this year's Policy resolution on Healthcare. Students will learn the history and central controversies of the topic, the core affirmative approaches, and the shape of the negative ground. Led by Callum Theiding.

Scrimmage Rounds · Round 1

Varsity students compete against students from other schools. Arrive prepared to debate. Check Tabroom for pairings and rooms.

Session 2 · 10:55am to 12:15pm

Intro Policy A, Room 2H · Flowing Tutorial

Debates are tracked using a flowsheet, or "flow", and this is the basis on which rounds are evaluated. Students will learn how to keep track of arguments and why every argument must be answered. Led by Tatum Zolkin.

Intro Policy B, Room 2G · Introduction to CX / Policy Debate

The same introduction Policy A had in Session 1: the mechanics of the event, how a round is structured, the roles of each speech, and what evidence and cards are. Led by Donny Peters.

Scrimmage Rounds · Round 2

Varsity students compete against students from other schools. Arrive prepared to debate. Check Tabroom for pairings and rooms.

Lunch · 12:15pm to 1:00pm · The Lodge

Session 3A · 1:00pm to 1:55pm

Intro Policy A, Room 2H · Healthcare Topic Lecture

The topic lecture Policy B had in Session 1, covering the history and central controversies of the Healthcare resolution, the core affirmative approaches and the shape of the negative ground. Led by Callum Theiding.

Intro Policy B, Room 2G · Disadvantages and Answering DAs

Disadvantages are the most common negative position in Policy Debate. Students will learn the structure of a disadvantage, how to answer one from the affirmative, and how judges weigh them when deciding a round. Led by Avery of Poly Prep.

Scrimmage Rounds · Policy Practice Round, 1:00pm to 3:00pm

A full two hour practice round for varsity Policy students who want a complete round rather than a scrimmage, running straight through Sessions 3A and 3B. Open to any school's varsity Policy debaters. Led by Teja Vepa.

Session 3B · 2:00pm to 2:55pm

Intro Policy A, Room 2H · Disadvantages and Answering DAs

The disadvantages session Policy B had in 3A: the structure of a disadvantage, how to answer one from the affirmative, and how judges weigh them.

Intro Policy B, Room 2G · Flowing Tutorial

The flowing session Policy A had in Session 2: how to keep track of arguments across a debate, and why every argument must be answered. Led by Tatum Zolkin.

Scrimmage Rounds · Policy Practice Round continues

The 1:00pm round runs through to 3:00pm.

Demonstration Debate · 3:00pm to 5:00pm · All attendees, Common Room

A full demonstration round conducted by varsity debaters, with a question and answer session afterwards.

Questions? Contact Sohail Jouya at sjouya@polyprep.org.