Resolved: The Benefits of Debate Classes in Schools Outweigh the Harms by Emily

Emily's entry into Varsity Tutor's November 2021 scholarship contest

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Resolved: The Benefits of Debate Classes in Schools Outweigh the Harms by Emily - November 2021 Scholarship Essay

People love to argue. Twitter, a platform dedicated to discussion, allows people to have arguments with anyone from anywhere around the world. However, this happens in under 280 characters and can sometimes go south. They are often counterproductive and leave both sides upset. Classes in high school focusing on debate are an excellent way to bring back the art of discussion. Therefore, debate classes deserve more emphasis in schools. For one, it teaches students how to conduct themselves professionally. Secondly, students become better prepared for high-pressure situations. Finally, students learn how to engage in polite, informed, debate. One thing that carries over from debate class into a real-world setting is professionalism.
To start, debate classes teach students professional behavior. Students in debate class will likely participate in a tournament. In these tournaments, students are expected to act and dress professionally. There is no doubt that a high school debate tournament will be filled with the best-dressed teenagers. Schools should put more emphasis on debate classes because these skills will carry over into the real world. They will be prepared for interviews or meetings with their boss. Rather than learning these skills when the consequences are more severe, students can mess up and learn from their mistakes. Debate class also offers an opportunity for emotional maturity in handling high-stakes situations.
Debating for the first time is one of the most nerve-wracking things a high schooler can do. In public forum debates, students are put into teams of two. The first speaker presents the prepared case. The second speaker is responsible for refuting the other team’s claims. Often, they have four minutes to do it. This includes finding evidence and formulating a framework for a speech. This creates a high-pressure situation. However, the more experienced a student becomes, the better they manage themselves. In a real-world situation, they will be able to slow down, collect themselves, and do their best work without the influence of panic. Schools should put more emphasis on debate classes because students gain emotional maturity. They learn to keep their emotions in check and not let them take over. This control helps them to stop and think.
One thing that debate class offers over social media is the opportunity to learn how to engage in civil discourse. Debate classes teach students how to write and present a thoroughly researched case. It teaches the ins and outs of finding and correctly citing reliable sources of information. These skills translate to college and beyond. Students learn to become stronger in civil discourse and gain confidence in public speaking. Participating in debate forces you to speak in front of groups and against an opponent. There seems to be a general lack of civil discourse on social media and in schools. Emphasizing debate class is an excellent way to teach students the art of polite discussions.
In conclusion, schools should put more emphasis on debate classes. For one, it teaches professionalism. Students learn how to conduct themselves with poise. This is a skill that translates well beyond high school. Secondly, students learn how to manage themselves in stressful situations. They will be able to stop and think rather than let their emotions get the best of them. Finally, debate classes teach civil discourse and valuable research skills. After debating, students can write a strong, informed case as well as defend their points. Debate class might seem unimportant. Why should students learn how to debate when they should be learning derivatives? It goes far beyond talking about a random topic. Debating teaches a valuable variety of skills that will serve each student well.

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