Benefits Of Debate
Teenage youth take readily to debate. And the benefits for them are numerous and broad. To see future benefits, see further below. For benefits that are in the here and now, see the following 7 “C”(s):–
COURAGE
Having to stand tall and make your case before a group, over and over again, instills the necessary feeling of leadership.
CONVICTION
Having something worthy saying and organized properly breeds the desire and confidence to lead.
CIVILITY
Grace under pressure and the process of reasoning with another, even with an opponent, is learnt.
CLOCK MANAGEMENT
The tyranny of time is brought home to the debater. Proper management of the clock both before and during debate is learnt, which, in turn, carries over to all manner of other non-debate pursuits.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Debate lends urgency, excitement and drama to the learning of communication skills. These skills–the art of public speaking–are taught not only with the view of winning points but also with the view of standing the student well in any situation where speaking is required. “Speed and spread” tactics–dropping arguments as fast as lips will move–are disallowed. The layman’s listening ear is what to talk to.
CRITICAL THINKING
Critical thinking is the prerequisite and gateway to leadership. It is also the overarching skill of good citizenship. Introduced, built upon, repeated and honed, it becomes second nature by the end of camp.
COMMON GOOD
Debate is combat but the weapons are words. This form of competition tends to bring out what is best for the great many, not the few. History is replete with the value of this great institution.
This photo, care of Chensiyuan (see Chensiyuan, Wikipedia), shows Harvard Yard in 2010. New College, which opened in 1636, and later renamed Harvard, is our country’s oldest collegiate institution.
“C” is also for college! The benefits of debate carry over into college as well. There is also a special added benefit that Statesman Debate ensures, namely, “College Study.”
Because Statesman Debate goes to great lengths to instill critical thinking on public issues, our high school debaters receive a strong head start on college study, especially in the social sciences. Indeed many of the major contending propositions of American statecraft and western, including US, history are laid before them. As such, this collection of propositions goes far beyond what the textbooks have to say. All manner of college research papers can come out of our briefings. Better still, the astute debater can build upon the camp experience and craft a superior college program.