Society now feels more divided than ever, with public conversations growing more hostile. Diplomacy has been replaced by caps lock, polarization of opinion has left little room for discussion and Instagram has allowed students to become political activists from their couches. This is why you should join the debate team. We teach students how to research, construct, listen to and defend arguments on real-world issues and ethical dilemmas. This develops the very critical thinking skills that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and social media are depleting.
Debate is essentially competitive arguing, covering everything from policy to philosophy. Each round centers around a resolution, such as “The possession of nuclear weapons is immoral” or “The United States ought to become party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and/or the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court”—statements that may sound intimidating but are actually fascinating. Students prepare cases for both the affirmative and negative side and compete in tournaments, debating both positions. During a round, a student presents their case, listens to opponents, asks questions and then delivers a rebuttal to the judge. Lincoln-Douglas debate is one-on-one, while Public Forum debate is two-on-two.
As the Debate Captain, I believe the most important skill students get from debate is learning to broaden their perspectives by defending positions they might personally disagree with. If you’ve ever argued with someone who’s absolutely certain they’re right but has to look up every fact mid-argument, you already understand why debate is essential. In debate, students learn how to research thoroughly, consider every viewpoint and think carefully before deciding what to believe. They also learn to respect that everyone is entitled to their opinion, because after all that research, it becomes clear that reasonable people can still arrive at different conclusions.
Some may think that debate isn’t necessary. After all, not everyone becomes a lawyer, politician or public speaker. However, debate teaches skills that transfer to virtually every real-world situation and career: it builds public speaking and confidence and is useful for everything from awkward group projects to job interviews. It fosters empathy by teaching students to listen carefully and understand opposing viewpoints, while encouraging active engagement with political and social issues, making learning more relevant and preparing students to navigate the world thoughtfully and respectfully. The best part is that debate is for everyone, regardless of prior experience and grade. If you want to learn how to advocate for yourself and have effective conversations, TAP 403 on Tuesdays after school is the place to be.
