Creativity: Debate Club

            So far this semester, we have had four debate club meetings and I have attended them all except the first. During the second meeting, which is the first one that I attended, we watched a debate between South Africa and England from the World Schools Debating Championship, in which South Africa won. They were debating on whether racial profiling should be used. South Africa’s position was in support of this motion, while England’s was against it. Of course this competition is world class for high school level debaters and watching them debate was a really good learning experience. First of all, they had a lot of research and evidence that helped to support their views, and I find that one of the things lacking in our debates so far, is good quality research. Something else that is very important is to present the idea in such a way that makes the audience believe in what you are saying, so confidence is important. Part of confidence is the body gesture and movements that help present whether you really believe in what you say. For example, if you cross your arms, it is like you are closing off your self, which shows insecurity. Also, to stand more firmly and with less of a ‘bounce’ helps to make you be taken more seriously. Other things I learned include the importance of communicating your point well, that is in such a way that is interesting, and that project’s your view as the correct one. Aside from this you should also never try to repeat evidence or arguments, as the English team sometimes did, whereas the South African team, even when they were revisiting a point or restating something previously said, they presented the same argument in a new light so that the their arguments were always interesting to listen too. Aside from this, it is important to speak in an engaging way that captures your audience’s attention, as this will ensure that they listen more to the arguments that you put forth. Something else that South Africa did is that for the majority of the speakers, they ended with a strong remark that leaves you with an impression, and I think this can help to seal your argument. Manner wise, the South African team was somewhat aggressive and I’m not sure whether this is a good or bad thing, though it does show their passion. I did feel that though practicing debating is important especially when you are going to join competitions, it also helps to watch others who are far better at debating to debate, because you can learn a lot from them.

            During the third meeting, we were split into two teams and started case building for the motion “THBT (this house believes that) the media should be prevented by law from intruding the lives of public figures.” My group was assigned the position of opposition. We managed to come up with a number of arguments that opposes the motion, taking into account some possible arguments that the other team will make. Aside from this, we also watched another debate from the World Schools Debating Championship (WSDC), this time between Singapore and Pakistan, on the idea that the commercial sale of human organs should be legalized. From this debate something else that I learned, other than things I learned from the previous debate I watched, is the importance of being careful in choosing the words that you say and in defining the motion as the affirmative team. In this case, Pakistan as the affirmative team that supports the commercialization of the sale of human organs should that the debate was more ‘theoretical’ so to speak, which makes it easier for the Singapore team to attack them because it means that they don’t have a strong mechanism and such, so it is harder for them to justify their arguments.

            During the fourth meeting, which took place today, we went back into our groups to further prepare our arguments on the motion given the previous week, which will be debated next week. We looked at the arguments that we had and began to see their flaws as well as come up with new counter arguments to the possible things that the opposition could say. We also did a little research to provide more concrete evidence for the things that we say in our arguments.

            Of all the things that we have done in the past three weeks, the first video we watched from the WSDC has left the greatest impression on me as watching it I felt that they were actually debating for a cause not just the sake of the debate. The ideas that were presented, both in support and opposition of the motion opens your eyes to the possible views that can be taken on the subject and broadens the way in which you look at the issue. I feel that the debate, or more of the ways in which the motion was discussed, is the way that a debate should turn out, so that you do not only fight for your side to win, but moreover to present the views of your side so that the audience can see the views of both side. Previously I had felt that the debates I have been a part of, especially during the competition that I joined were more to see which side could win, without any actual cause. However, in the video we watched, you feel that there could be a possible application of the views brought up on the issue debated and that there was some actual significance. This is something that I hope to be able to see and do in further debates otherwise I honestly do not I feel that I should debate.