Our
Divisions

Policy debate is unique in the sense that it revolves around advocating for and against specific policy proposals, based on a yearly topic, to be taken by the government.  This year’s (2025-26) topic, or resolution, is “Resolved: The United States federal government should significantly increase its exploration and/or development of the Arctic.”  

​

In a round, one team of two would propose a governmental policy reaffirming the topic, and the other team of two would argue as to why the policy should not be implemented.  This generates education discourse surrounding resolution.  For example, what are the environmental consequences of exploration?  What are the economic benefits?  Do the benefits outweigh the consequences, and are these benefits accessible to all?

​

Policy debate is the most traditional and competitive form of debate, which is why this is the style of debate that college teams utilize.  It is the most technically challenging, which also makes it extremely rewarding with a high ceiling for skill level in both evidence and analysis-based argumentation. The policy debate community at Oakton is very interknit and you will become friends with your debate partner for life! This debate style will teach you about both the intended and unintended consequences that real-world policy actions have, giving you a new lens in which to see the world from the highest level of administration.
 

Public Forum is a team-based debate format consisting of two-person teams, similar to policy debate! Public Forum debate focuses on current events and public policy issues, with topics changing each month. Debaters work to defend opposing sides of a resolution using persuasive appeals, evidence from thorough research, and logic. It’s the easiest debate style to catch on to and is the largest division nationwide. It features shorter speeches compared to other styles of debate, and rounds are approximately 45 minutes long. It’s very similar to college debate if you’re thinking of continuing your debate career. In Public Forum debate, you learn to argue, and most importantly, you learn how to win.

​

Public Forum is one of the biggest divisions at Oakton and is the best way to network and gain connections. Tournaments are held with schools from all around the DMV, so you’re exposed to a more competitive pool of individuals while building connections with students from different debate teams as well! Not to mention, you also have access to the national circuits we attend every year (out-of-state tournaments)! We host many socials and team dinners and focus on building a strong community within our division.

Our achievements show across the board in Varsity, JV, and Novice divisions. (Our officers have earned many of our titles, so they’re skilled at teaching you the same methods.) We’ve earned major wins, including state championships and top placements (1st–6th) in local circuits. We have qualified for national tournaments like NCFL, NSDA, and TOC. With over 20 national entries and invitations to prestigious tournaments like the Harvard Round Robin, we break records one win and speaker point at a time!

Although Lincoln-Douglas debate and other debate divisions share a few similarities, there are a few major differences that make LD debate stand out. For example, unlike Policy and PF debate, LD debate is 1v1 (you compete by yourself). This allows for the development of critical thinking skills and persuasive speaking abilities solely based on the individual. Another major difference is that LD debate places a much heavier emphasis on value and ethics, such as justice and morality. This not only allows for a wide range of topics, but it also prepares students on how to face real-world challenges. LD debate changes topics once every 2 months (approximately 2 competitions each topic), allowing enough time to prepare and delve into a topic while also not getting tired of it. Some potential topics for the 2025-2026 school year include “Resolved: In the United States, the use of artificial intelligence technology in the criminal justice system is immoral” and “Resolved: The United States ought to prioritize green growth over degrowth”. 

Congressional Debate, or “Congress,” is a unique style of debate that mirrors the structure of the United States Congress. Students take on the roles of legislators, drafting, presenting, and debating bills and resolutions on issues ranging from domestic policy to international relations. Unlike other debate formats that focus on one resolution at a time, Congress allows competitors to engage with a wide variety of topics in a single session. This format not only develops your skills in research and speechwriting but also trains you to think quickly and speak persuasively in response to others.

​

Congress rounds are highly interactive, with competitors giving speeches for or against proposed legislation, engaging in cross-examination through questioning, and voting on whether bills should pass. Sessions are run by a presiding officer (PO), a student elected by peers to guide debate and maintain order just like in real government. This format emphasizes collaboration and persuasion over rigid structures, so you will learn how to balance effective rhetoric with evidence-based argumentation.

​

At Oakton, our Congress division is a small but growing community that is very tight knit. We focus on fostering the next generation of debaters by creating an environment where everyone helps each other learn and improve. Congress also develops strong speaking and leadership skills, since you must think critically about a wide range of issues, respond to diverse viewpoints, and learn how to stand out in a chamber full of debaters. If you enjoy politics, public speaking, and collaboration, Congress is the perfect event to explore.