Reminder: students must register as league members before they’re eligible to compete.
Competitive debate is a unique and beneficial activity that comes in varying forms. In the LFA, team policy debate is offered as the main competitive event. No matter the style or form, however, study after study concludes that debate is the ideal activity to prepare young adults for their future.
Moreover, students who participate in debate for a full year or more do not regret the experience. In fact, most students testify that their lives were changed for the better because of it!
Don’t let your students miss out on this incredible activity.
Debate has long been recognized as one of the best high school activities because of its ability to benefit students in multiple ways. In addition to some very important long-term advantages, debate provides a number of immediate academic benefits. It is also one of the few activities that motivates students to spend more time developing important academic skills. Some of these skills include:
Debate can increase critical thinking skills by as much as 44% (Akerman, 2011). Students learn to think analytically and logically.
The #1 fear in America is public speaking, yet students who participate in debate learn to love public speaking and enjoy it. Debate teaches students to be organized, have persuasive delivery, and demonstrate confidence when addressing large groups of people.
Debaters who have later obtained advanced degrees say that their research efforts for high school debate were much more challenging than those required for their law degree, master's thesis, or dissertation (Parcher, 1998).
Interestingly, competitive debate has demonstrated a unique ability to produce “academic drive” in under-motivated students. Through the activity, students learn to challenge themselves, to seek out answers, and to educate themselves.
Debate is an activity that helps students think quickly on their feet by testing their knowledge and undergoing cross-examination. Students learn to organize their thoughts and present arguments in a way that is both receptive and respectful. They also defend their positions based on researched evidence.
Debaters must be clear in outlining their points or arguments. Speeches are constantly being rewritten or improved to enhance the student’s ideas and or position. Students also improve in notetaking. The ability to jot down information quickly and in an orderly fashion becomes second nature as “Flowing” is an essential part of debate.
These vital skills gained from academic debate will benefit your students no matter what career they choose to pursue.
+ Leadership & Character
Students who participate in debate become natural leaders. They learn to think for themselves and communicate well with others. They also become responsible for their own success and typically go above and beyond what the teacher requires. One study found that high school debate decreased disciplinary problems among participants by 50 percent (Glanton, 2005).
+ Defense of Faith
Today’s students will soon become witnesses to those they encounter at college or the workplace. While it is crucial that the next generation have a strong Christian worldview, it is also important for them to be able to both communicate and defend this worldview. Debate allows these young adults to learn and hone their communication skills in a friendly, Christian environment.
+ Respect for Others
Competing in debate requires students to learn to respectfully disagree with opponents. Students learn how to listen to those who disagree with them, and have intelligent, respectful dialogues on controversial issues.
+ Scholarships
Many colleges around the country offer scholarships to students for debate. These can range in value from a few thousand dollars to a full ride, depending on the institution.
+ College Success
Surveys indicate that over 98% of debaters attend college (Billman & Christensen, 2008). In addition, debate teaches students to be self-directed and motivated, ensuring success while pursuing higher education. One survey found that of 703 former debaters, 209 had more than one advanced degree. Additionally, four in ten had law degrees, four in ten had masters degrees and two in ten had a Ph.D. or other doctoral degree (Matlon).
+ Notable Careers
One survey found that of students who debated, 30% became university educators, 15% were top corporate executives and 10% were working in various branches of government. Others entered the clergy, started their own businesses, or became writers and publishers (Matlon). In fact, over 80% of all current members of congress competed at their school’s debate team (Swanson).
More than any other activity, debate training forms the thought processes of a student and influences the way he or she views the world.
Read ArticleAdapted from the Report of the Philodemic Debate Society, Georgetown University, 1998
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