E3 Debate

Our debate program offers unique educational opportunities that promote organizational skills, logical argumentation, respectful refutation, and effective delivery. Debate is a valuable activity for students of all skill levels. It builds public speaking confidence and strong academic rigor.

Here are 12 ways that debating can help students for years to come.

1. Critical Thinking

Debating helps to develop essential critical thinking skills – the ability to make reasoned and well thought out arguments in addition to questioning the evidence behind a particular stance or conclusion. 

2. Articulation and Organization

From explaining complex mathematical equations to the plot of a favorite book, debating helps students to organize thoughts, identify an audience, and choose the appropriate tone and words. The ability to articulate and plan thoughts is key in debating, producing a well- planned out and sharp argument. 

3. Education is key

Have you done your research? Do you understand your topic? Are your arguments coherent? Do they make sense?

A good debater reads and finds sources, writes and drafts speeches, speaks confidently, and is adept at listening. These are skills that are useful both inside and outside the classroom. 

4. Think on your feet

To "think on your feet" is the ability to react decisively, effectively, and without prior planning. Debaters learn and hone this skill. They are also able to identify any loopholes in counter-arguments. The ability to think on your feet and respond to questions and comments is essential in any situation.

5. Conflict resolution

Debaters are trained to spot and resolve conflicts before they impact a discussion. Debaters also are encouraged to accept a loss graciously. These are both important skills in debating and in life. 

6. Empathy

A successful speaker will always maintain a degree of empathy while debating. It is not necessary to agree with the other party’s argument, but empathy is an important life skill, helping you to improve your relations on a personal and professional level.

7. Keep your emotions in check

A good debater will also remember to retain an element of poise and composure – addressing the issue rather than getting carried away emotionally. Managing your emotions will not only stand you in good stead while debating. It is no easy skill to manage, but will gain you respect in every walk of life.

8. Construct meaning out of complex situations

Debating will also helps students to learn how to construct meaning out of, what are usually, rather complex topics. From world peace to banning nuclear energy, taking the time to research the subject and carefully construct the points you want to make will help you construct a better argument.

9. Presentation skills

Presentation plays a crucial part in how others perceive you as an individual, and more importantly, as competition. Good presentation skills will earn you instant respect both while debating and in future situations.

10. Confidence boost

Good presentation skills will also help boost confidence. This helps you shine at interviews or work related events. A polished overall presentation and confident speaking manner will make you a memorable individual.

11. Be more socially conscious

Debating is a skill which requires students to be much more politically and socially aware of current affairs. Being more socially and politically aware is not only important while debating but it will also ensure that you connect and relate better to others, both socially and in the workplace.

12. An expanded worldview

Debating provides the opportunity for students to study topics that provide a deeper understanding of the society and the world in which we live. An expanded worldview also encourages students to be proud of their talents and achievements, in addition to being more appreciative of the opportunities that await them.

  
Sources
E3 Debate Instructors
St John’s-Ravenscourt School  World Champion Debaters
Study International -Debating-will-help-you-for-the-rest-of-your-life

The Power of Speech & Debate Education

Speech and Debate are valuable pursuits for students of all ages.  Experience with speech and debate hones skills for other academic pursuits.  

Most obviously, it builds confidence in public speaking, and it helps students to express their ideas eloquently.  

The comfort of speaking in front of others is useful in so many areas of life, from interviews to school presentations to discussions in college seminars.

The benefits of speech and debate include developing strong critical thinking and research skills.  As F. Scott Fitzgerald once said, “The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.”  

Debate (and research based speeches) require students to research their ideas, analyze them, and support them with evidence. This teaches students to conduct research and assess sources.  According to Arne Duncan, then-Secretary of Education, debate is “uniquely suited” to build skills required of a modern citizen, including critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. Those skills help students express their thoughts better in their academic work and their college applications. 

The College Board recently revamped the SAT test to focus more on exactly the sorts of skills speech and debate teaches.  As the New York Times explained, students taking the new version of the test must write “a critical response to a specific argument” based on analysis rather than personal experience.  Debaters are used to responding to unfamiliar arguments in time-sensitive situations; thinking critically about a written passage on the SAT is not so different from responding to an opponent’s argument in a debate round.  Debaters likewise outscore non-debaters on every section of the ACT.  

For students who commit to speech and debate, it offers a lifetime of benefits.  Forbes published an article titled “How to Find the Millennials Who Will Lead Your Company,” suggesting that the leaders of the future are ex-debaters.  As that article notes, [speech and] debate teaches “how to persuade, how to present clearly, and how to connect with an audience,” exactly the skills businesses look for in their young employees.  

You’ll find ex-debaters in every area of public life, from Bruce Springsteen to Oprah Winfrey to Nelson Mandela.  60% of Congressional representatives participated in debate, as well as at least a third of the Supreme Court.  There are ex-debaters excelling in business, law, politics, academia, and many other fields.

Sources: 

Forbes

New York Times

F. Scott Fitzgerald

Stanford

Latitudes in Learning by Frank Duffin