As part of the library’s Everybody Reads series, this program introduces teens and adults to the fundamentals of debate through games, mock rounds, writing prompts, and lively exchanges. Participants will learn novice techniques such as argument structure, persuasive delivery, and flowing—the skill of tracking and responding to ideas in a live round.
Drawing from her experience with the Seattle Debate Foundation, Youth Speaks, and Columbia University’s Teachers College Debate Camps, Toni Hill bridges formal debate with the depth and rhythm of hip hop. Using lyrics by artists like Nas, Tupac Shakur, KRS-One, and Mic Crenshaw, she reveals how hip hop has always carried argument, resistance, and cultural truth. Participants will practice constructing arguments, rebuttals, and cross-examinations. No experience needed.
