INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC SPEAKING:

This is a great opportunity for your student to pick up valuable lessons on Public Speaking before Middle School. Students will learn how to confidently present a speech before an audience. Through exercises and practice, students will work on delivery skills including vocal variety, articulation, and voice projection. Students will deliver a final speech for parents. All in a fun and supportive environment!

PUBLIC SPEAKING 2:

This is a great follow up to the Introduction class. In this class, students will learn how to develop and write their own speeches. Students will learn how to develop an effective introduction and conclusion, organize and write the main points, how to have effective transitions, and how to research their own ideas. Students will draft their own speech to be presented for parents during the last class.

Details: (both classes have the same details - we will be offering both at the same time).

Dates: Thursdays, April 10 to June 12, 2008
Times: Session 1: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Session 2 - 5:45 to 6:45 p.m.
Location: River Hill High School
Who: 4th or 5th graders
Costs: $150
Contact: Ronald Bratt at bratt@capitol-debate.com or 443 538-4992

MOCK TRIAL:

Learn the basics of a legal case including opening, closing, and cross-examination. Students will prepare and participate in mock trial at end of class.

Details:

Dates: Tuesdays, April 8 to June 10, 2008
Times: 3:45 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Centennial High School
Who: 6th through 8th Grade
Costs: $150
Contact: Ronald Bratt at bratt@capitol-debate.com or 443 538-4992

About the Instructor:

Ronald Bratt has been involved in competitive academic debate and public speaking for the past 25 years and has successfully started and grown both high school and college debate programs. From 1998 to 2005, Mr. Bratt started the Catholic University Debate program. In its first year of existence, Catholic Debate advanced to the finals of the American Debate Association. By 2001, Catholic University Debate Program was up to 30 debaters and was ranked number one in the nation by the National Debate Tournament rankings. Additionally, in 2001, Catholic Debate won 2 national titles including the American Debate Association Varsity Championship and the Cross Examination Debate Association Novice National Championship. This feat of winning 2 national titles was replicated in 2003. Mr. Bratt was also instrumental in implementing an Urban Debate League in Washington, D.C. In the fall of 2002, Mr. Bratt was one of the founding directors of the league helping recruit students, establish infrastructure, and train both students and teachers. The league is now strong and vibrant. On the international arena, Mr. Bratt worked closely with the International Debate Educational Association in 2003 to bring nearly 50 high school students from 6 countries in Southeastern Europe to the United States to learn leadership and debate. The following year, Mr. Bratt brought about 35 students from 7 countries including Russia, China, Haiti, Argentina, and South Africa to train and compete at the National Forensics League National Tournament. On the training side, Mr. Bratt started the nation’s leading high school debate institute, the Capitol Classic Debate Institute. At its height, the Capitol Classic Debate Institute drew over 225 students from nearly 30 states to reside at Catholic University for periods of 3 to 7 weeks. Numerous national high school debate champions graduated from this debate institute.

Mr. Bratt has also taught public speaking at Towson University, Goucher, College Park, McDaniel College and Catholic University. Mr. Bratt was also an attorney in Baltimore.