Speech and Debate

Coolidge Speech & Debate Webinars

The Coolidge Foundation invites all interested students, coaches, parents, and judges to attend one or more of our upcoming sessions. Registration is required to receive the link to join the live webinar; each event lasts approximately one hour, with 10 to 15 minutes reserved for audience questions. We will add recordings to our webinar library below after each event for those who were unable to attend. Join us to improve your skills in Coolidge Debate!

Click Here to Register for Upcoming Webinars
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Please fill out the form below. We will email information to join the webinar 24-48 hours prior to its start time.

  • With what school are you affiliated? (Or if homeschooled, write Homeschool.)
  • What is your current role in speech and debate? If more than one applies, choose the option that you feel best describes your current engagement with the activity.
  • If you are a student, what grade are you in for the 2025-2026 school year?
  • Please select each webinar that you plan to attend. We will email information to join the webinar 24-48 hours prior to its start time.

April 29, 2026

Becoming a Coolidge Debate Champion: An 1890 Society Panel Discussion

Our panel of 1890 Society members shared their perspectives on what makes Coolidge debate unique and how to succeed in our format.

April 1, 2026

Preparing for the Coolidge National Declamation Contest

Beyond our debate offerings, the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation is proud to offer our annual National Declamation Contest. This webinar shares tips for delivering and recording your speech, along with additional information about its structure.

March 18, 2026

Using Your Ballots and Judges’ Advice: An 1890 Society Panel Discussion

Our panel of 1890 Society members discussed how to interpret and use judge feedback. Panelists shared their experiences and emphasized clarity, honesty, and practice in improving debate skills.

March 4, 2026

Debating the Wagner Act

This webinar examines our current topic, the repeal of the Wagner Act, or the Labor Relations Act of 1935. We consider the proper interpretation of this debate resolution and discuss the potential advantages and disadvantages of such a change to labor policy.

December 18, 2025

Applying Cicero’s Five Canons of Rhetoric

Featuring Dr. Joshua Herring, an expert in classical education. He explains Cicero’s Five Canons of Rhetoric and offers advice for how to apply the ancient wisdom of this approach to Coolidge Debate.

November 13, 2025

Coolidge Debate vs. Other Formats

This webinar compares and contrasts the Coolidge Debate format with Team Policy (CX), Lincoln-Douglas (LD), Public Forum (PF), Parliamentary, and Congressional Debate.

October 30, 2025

Preparing for the 2025 Presidents’ Cup

A guide to the Coolidge Debate style, the 2v2 “doubles” format, and additional thoughts about debating the Department of Education topic with an eye toward success at the Cup.

October 2, 2025

Abolishing the Dept. of Education

An overview of the history and context of our U.S. Department of Education fall 2025 topic, exploring the key arguments for both the affirmative and negative sides.

September 25, 2025

Strategies for Each Speech in 1v1 “Singles”

Practical strategies for the 1v1 “singles” format, applicable for all national tournament series and the Coolidge Cup.

March 27, 2025

Debating Tariffs on Mexico

Analysis of the spring 2025 topic regarding the economic benefits of increasing tariffs on Mexico.

March 13, 2025

Coolidge Debate Case Writing

Fundamental concepts for preparing cases and rebuttal strategies specifically tailored for the Coolidge Debate format.

February 27, 2025

Introduction to Coolidge Debate

An introduction to the purpose, structure, rules, and unique norms of both the 1v1 and 2v2 Coolidge formats.