Introduction to Debate
Why study debate? Debate involves the clash or competition of ideas and evidence. It is through such clashes that ideas are thoroughly explored and improved. Debate takes may forms. It may be at a community of business meeting, on the editorial pages of the newspaper, in a court of law, on the floor of Congress, or around the lunch table. In each case, the debate involves a clash of ideas and information. The structure of such debates, however, vary considerably. The formal court room setting produces a different kind of debate than the informal lunch table argument. Formal structure or rules has advantages and disadvantages.
Participating in debate, whether in a classroom or on a competitive debate team, is a challenging and highly rewarding activity. Some of the benefits associated with this experience are
Participating in debate, whether in a classroom or on a competitive debate team, is a challenging and highly rewarding activity. Some of the benefits associated with this experience are
- Public Speaking Skills: Most people naturally avoid public speaking -- debate provides a non-threatening environment to practice these skills so that down the road when you're called on to speak in college or on the job, you'll have the skills necessary to do a great job. This increases your chances of doing well in important interviews for jobs or scholarships.
- Analytical Skills: The ability to critically analyze a problem and propose workable solutions in invaluable. This is a skill that debate best teaches and high-level business people and professionals possess.
- Research Skills: From traditional library research to the Internet, debate teaches you to become a world-class researcher. Ask any college student and they'll tell you how valuable this is.
- Listening & Note-taking Skills: Debate requires that you become a careful listener and good note taker. This helps students get better grades and learn faster.
- Teamwork Skills: Very few careers require you to work alone. Learning to work with a debate partner develops collaborative skills that benefit you today and in the future.