The first year of Rhetoric study at Caldwell Academy (9th grade) is an introduction to cross examination debate. This includes an overview of the debate process and procedures, building the debate case, research and reasoning, refutation, cross examination, and effective delivery. The purpose is to give each student the skills necessary to develop, analyze, and evaluate proposed courses of action in every area of life. Additional advantages to this class include developing skills of persuasive speaking and writing, learning to quickly assimilate and adapt to new information, and practice in researching topics efficiently and thoroughly.

Another highlight of our Rhetoric school is our spirited PigFest events. PigFesters (9th-12th graders) gather to indulge in great food and great conversation about the important issues of the day, and to sharpen their respective abilities to engage and enhance their communities. PigFest gatherings are organized around four core rules or principles. As with Ben Franklin’s Junto gatherings, a moderator directs the conversation. He begins with an overview of the PigFest tradition and principles, selects which participants will offer propositional statements, and offers contextual and concluding remarks. Each proposition must deal with one of the five topic areas. It must be a statement of belief that includes a basic rationale. The group interacts with each “truth proposition” for 15 minutes. The dialogues are facilitated around the classical Greek method by asking how one defines their terms; how they know what they propose is true, and what it matters. Food platters and drinks typically rotate around the table at the end of each round.