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Benefits of Debating

Debating is an activity which can help children learn to be part of a team; however it places less emphasis on competition and is less gender specific than athletics.  The discipline of debating has three (3) goals:  the enhancement of critical thinking and reasoning abilities; academic advancement or development; and the promotion of communication skills.  For younger children the focus can be on the development of communication skills. 

Debating should be seen as a cooperative rather than competitive endeavor, but for students engaging in competitive activity, debating can help them hone their emotional maturity for the purpose of winning and losing graciously; acquire the social skills to work with a colleague; and compete against other students using spoken English in an increasingly educated and sophisticated manner

Here are some more benefits of debating to consider:

• More comfortable and organized public speaking skills, helping you in school and the workplace.
• Improved writing skills with Public Forum, Lincoln Douglas and Original Oratory.
• Helps you to establish, support, and defend positions: for example, you must argue both sides in Pubic Forum and Lincoln Douglas. You will also learn how to use evidence and facts when writing and arguing.
• Debate Team looks great on a college application.
• Skills learned are useful for careers in law, politics, literature, journalism, and many others.
• There are a number of scholarship opportunities associated with debate.
• Speaking skills learned allow you to do well in job interviews and college interviews. These skills also help you when making presentations in school, and later, when presenting ideas in the workplace.
• Students are encouraged to read about current events and controversial issues to prepare for debates.
• You can also letter in debate.