Speed Debate

In the past, competitive debate was mostly associated with students
who attended private schools and came from affluent backgrounds. But the
argumentative practice is now gaining popularity with students all across
the United States, even those who attend inner-city schools. In fact, the
National Association of Urban Debate Leagues (NAUDL) says approximately 3,000
students take part in its nationwide program.

So why are more students choosing to exercise their minds by joining
high school debate teams? According to a study conducted by Gary
Alan Fine, author of Gifted Tongues: High School Debate and Adolescent
Culture, the reasons for teens’ involvement in debate fall
into three categories:

• Strategic Involvement – Many students associate debate
  with the worlds of politics and law, and some who desire to follow
  these career paths say joining a debate team is a “logical
  choice.” Others join in an attempt to “beef up” their
  transcripts before applying to college.
• Fun Experience – The number of students who join because “I
  always liked to argue” is considerable. These students find
  competitive debate both challenging and conducive to camaraderie.
• Network Recruitment – Many students join a debate team
  because their friends are members. Others say that their parents,
  siblings or teachers whom they admire often influence their decision
  to try competitive debating.

The NAUDL says that because students involved in debate
regularly engage in writing, information analysis, and in-depth library and
Internet research, they often receive higher grades than non-debaters in
high school and are more likely to continue on to post-secondary education.
A recent study published by the National Communication Association lends
further evidence to debate’s educational benefits. The study’s
findings showed students who participated in organized debate for at least
one year improved their critical thinking skills by 44 percent. If you want
to encourage your teen to join a debate team, the Puget Sound Speech and
Debate Association suggests informing him or her of these potential benefits
of participation. Debating …

• Offers preparation for leadership.
• Provides for investigation and intensive analysis of significant
  contemporary problems.
• Develops proficiency in critical thinking.
• Emphasizes quality instruction.
• Encourages student scholarship.
• Develops the ability to make prompt, analytical responses.
• Develops critical listening skills.
• Develops proficiency in writing.
• Encourages mature judgment.
• Develops courage.
• Encourages effective speech composition and delivery.
• Develops social maturity.
• Develops multicultural sensitivities.
• Develops computer competencies.

Although the popularity of debate is rising, many schools do not
have a debate program in place. The National PTA encourages parents
to approach their children’s school administrators with concerns
about student programs or the lack thereof. If your child’s
school cannot provide a forum for debate, you can find information
for student involvement in national or state high school debate programs
by contacting the UDL or the National Forensic League.