Teaching the basic course in speech communication can be challenging in many ways. A class debate revitalizes the course, while offering an excellent means for evaluating learning at the end of a semester course. Proficient use of interpersonal skills is necessary to organize group members and control group discussion; sufficient knowledge of persuasion is needed to prepare an effective argument; adequate delivery skills are required to present each position; and acute listening skills are demanded for a decent counterargument. From the first step to the last, students must apply what they have learned about research and time management. This project results in a greater appreciation of reasoned discourse, since students experience first hand the fact that effective communication skills can enable constructive management of conflict. The class debate project near the end of the course can be very helpful to both the teacher and students of the basic course. (MM)