By Shrey Sharma
Why debate? Why question something when the rule and policymakers have questioned it and arrived at a conclusion? How do we learn to know more about a topic and weigh in on different points of view? High School Debate teaches you that and much more.
With the advent of technology and its penetration into the lives of humans, everyone these days seems to have an opinion. The opinions, however, can be biased, twisted, and based on someone’s environment.
In Public Forum (PF) debate, when we research a topic, we open it up without preemptive bias. After researching both sides of the resolution, we thoroughly understand the topic and form our arguments based on the research. In debate rounds, we can be picked to debate either side. Our minds are open to seeing valid arguments on both sides. We also learn how to prepare for “rebuttals” against our opponent’s case by not taking a statement at face value but also questioning its accuracy and relevance.
The public is conditioned to read something, contemplate it, form an opinion, and not go beyond that. PF Debate conditions our minds to understand topics in greater depth and be able to speak on each side without emotional biases.
Before I started PF debate, I would read current events on my computer and go over headlines when I was bored – read and forget. Like almost all kids at 10 years old, I was more interested in video games. Games were my passion and any loss of access to them made me upset. Grave topics of the world made no impressions on my mind.
Becoming a part of the debate team in middle school gave me an awareness and insight into deeper societal issues, economic policy, local and global political views, etc.
At 13 years old, I was exposed to issues in our world and how they were impacting everyone. Suddenly, the time I usually spent with my game zone seemed like wasted time when I could be learning something new. My mind opened up to things happening around the globe.
Debate taught me research skills that helped me both in class and in debate tournaments. On the first day of high school, I remember my history teacher using the phrase, “Thinking like a Historian”. Thinking like a historian means not taking what we read at face value. He told us that we should try to uncover authentic sources that go in depth about whatever topic we are researching. We were encouraged to uncover factual evidence for every argument before forming an opinion. This, to me, was a new way of looking at things. It opened my eyes to new perspectives on topics that I thought I knew. Many questions crossed my mind and allowed me to think with a neutral eye until I could get my facts right.
A debate tournament is nothing short of a roller coaster ride. It’s not just the topic research but the ability to deliver your points and score points when the opponents have nothing for rebuttal. Convincing the judges and winning a round is immensely gratifying. To win, everything has to align properly – the research, articulation of key points, speech delivery, body language, and appearance. Every little nuance counts when it comes to debating.
I believe this is the primary reason most PF debate alumni continue to associate with the club years after competing in high school. They come back either as judges, coaches, or even as audiences. There is a sense of satisfaction and pride that binds all debaters. They follow the sport (proceedings) with interest years after, which makes it all very special.
Debate is one activity that prepares you for future success in life!