Introduction

You are about to embark on a journey into the world of academic debate.  For many students, debate has been a life-changing activity.  Debate is unique among extra-curricular activities because no other activity better prepares the student for life.  Due to its unique focus on research, writing, and speech, debate better prepares students for challenges in life including career, family, church, and government.  The list of skills that debate develops or enhances is long and impressive, but perhaps the most amazing thing about this activity is the enjoyment that it brings.  Yes, debate is fun.  Some students enjoy it from the start, but most students only begin to enjoy it after competing at a couple of tournaments.  So if you don’t enjoy it immediately, don’t worry; just stick with it and chances are that you will become a debate addict.   It has been our experience that most students will go beyond merely enjoying the activity to loving it.

The benefits of debate take time.  The enjoyment of debate usually sets in midway through the first season, but the skills and real benefits of the activity take longer to acquire.  The degree to which a student gains the benefits of debate is directly proportional to the following three things: the number of tournament debate rounds the student debates in, the amount of effort invested by the student, and the number of years that the student participates.  Limiting any one of these three factors will inhibit the growth of the desired skills.