Family First: The Value of Debate

Originally Posted – February 25, 2010 12:46pm

Atlanta, GA – After declining in popularity, high school and college debate teams are now making a comeback. Today, there is a new pool of young students who are learning to battle against each other using words and their wits and gaining important life skills along the way.

On the court and on the field, kids love to compete. And now on the intellectual front, a familiar type of competition – a contest of reasoning and persuasion that some kids misunderstand – is gaining popularity again.

“Before I got into debate, I thought it was for geeks,” 15-year old Hannah says.

Willie, 14, echoes those sentiments. “I thought you had to be a nerd or you were geeky or you weren’t cool [to debate].”

As it turns out, many students say it is cool to match wits and win an argument against other students. And while these students are having fun, they are also learning.

“Debate teaches us three things that we can use in almost any field we go into,” says Bill Newnam, associate director of debate for Emory University. “It teaches us incredible critical thinking skills, very good research skills and strong organizational and presentational skills.”

In fact, some studies show that teenagers who participate in organized debate for at least one year are able to significantly improve their critical thinking skills. And kids say that debating is training for the mind.

“It’s helped with my school work and my articulation skills,” Willie says. “I speak out more. I comprehend better.”

“In class, I used to not talk. I used to sit back in the corner, but now it’s like I know what I’m talking about so I talk more,” Hannah says.

Participating on a debate team also helps boost kids’ confidence and teaches them how to use words and ideas to resolve a conflict.

“Words are strong enough themselves. So if you speak what you think is right, people will accept or reject it,” Willie says.

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 Urban Debate League (UDL) 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.

Tips for Parents

The UDL 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 in the journal Communication Education 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.

References

Urban Debate League

Gifted Tongues:  High School Debate and Adolescent Culture

Communication Education

Puget Sound Speech and Debate Association

National PTA

National Forensic League

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• Duval UDL starts virtual debates on DebateHall.com (dudl.org)

There are many ways to give, and we welcome your assistance through any of the following means:

Direct Financial Support. DUDL funds its work in pursuit of further academic debate opportunities through donations to our organization.

• Contribute on-line by completing the form below.
• Or please make checks payable to “Blacksonville” ( in care of DUDL).  Send to:
  Duval Urban Debate League
  221 N. Hogan Street, Suite 501
  Jacksonville, FL 32202
• Stocks, bonds, real estate, life insurance, art or other assets that carry no unusual liability may be used as a gift.
• Planned gifts and bequests, whether or not as part of estate planning, are of course welcome.
• ALL FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DUDL ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE TO THE FULL EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. YOU WILL PROMPTLY BE PROVIDED THE APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTATION.

Our Kick-Off Reception and Mock Debate. The DUDL will hosts a Kick off event to recognize and celebrate the establishment of the League and its supporters. Tables and sponsorship opportunities are available, starting at $1,000.

Help us provide transportation to our debaters

In-Kind Goods and Services. The Duval UDL receives partial in-kind services through Federal Title 1 funding. However we are tremendous need for donated transportation (minivans), legal services, and more.

Volunteer Activities. Much of what the DUDL undertakes can and does benefit from volunteer assistance. Opportunities to get involved are endless. Please contact us for details and specifics.

Please also direct us to any individuals, foundations, and corporations potentially interested in helping Duval County Public School students achieve academically!

Please complete the form below to donate. For more information, contact us at info[at]dudl.org or (904) 962-7284.

(New America Blogs).

Help Us Start a Debate League in Your District!

Visit our staff or contact page if you would like to speak with an administrator directly. We are constantly seeking more community leaders to judge our monthly tournaments.

If you are aware of any sponsors who may wish to donate to DUDL, please email us at info[at]dudl.org >

The newly formed Duval Urban Debate League (DUDL) will introduce a high tech, rigorous instruction for participating debaters. The Duval Urban Debate League advisory board is made of attorneys, educators and business owners organized under the leadership of social entrepreneur, Jermyn Shannon El, League developer and co-founder of Blacksonville Community Network, Blacksonville Community Network.

“This is a historical moment for education in Jacksonville. I have witness the outcomes of debate in the lives of children and communities. Parents in Jacksonville will really be impressed with how fast students will be able to apprach learning in a different style and attitude once they start debating,” says Jermyn Shannon El.  Shannon El is a graduate of Florida State University where he too once debated.

Although the League will only accommodate the seven middle schools this year, Mr. Shannon-El is not stopping there to add reinforcement to the program. You can find him pacing the street downtown Jacksonville in discussion with the city’s top leadership and institutions seeking new partnerships that value social change, including, Florida State College of Jacksonville, Edward Waters College, and several other universities. “One critical element to debate is the longitudinal trend of peer-to-peer mentorsip that debate fosters organically when debaters stick with the program,” says Jermyn. “We seek strategic alliances with higher institutions of learning not only to expose students to the campus life,  but to develop an Apprenticeship Program that provides scholarships and paid experience to graduate students and mentors. We want the entire community to benefit from this initiative.”

These developments have been met with great enthusiasm by Duval County Public School principals and educators, who see Urban Debate as a “life saver” and welcome the new public-private partnership facilitated by DUDL, as well as the anticipated positive achievement outcomes.

According to Betty Seabrook-Burney, Honorary Chairperson of the School Board, “The Duval Urban Debate League is a model program that we are expecting very positive outcomes from. I believe it is something every child and adult should learn to do.”

If you have a child that you would like to see participate in Debate, please email us at info[at]dudl.org or call (904) 962-7284.