The Benefits Of Debate
Competitive debate is a challenging and highly rewarding activity for most who become involved in it.  There are a full range of benefits associated with being on the debate team. 
 
•    Fun:  The vast majority of the tens of thousands of students who compete in debate tournaments each year will tell you that it’s fun.  For every person, the experience is a little different, but generally the thrill of competition, the camaraderie of teammates and the travel opportunities make debate fun.

•    Teammates: An additional benefit of getting involved is building friendships with teammates who enjoy similar interests.  

•    Public Speaking Skills: Most people naturally avoid public speaking--debate provides a non-threatening environment to practice these skills so that down the road when you’re called on to speak in college or on the job, you’ll have the skills necessary to do a great job.  This increases your chances of doing well in
important interviews for jobs or scholarships.

•    Analytical Skills: The ability to critically analyze a problem and propose workable solutions is invaluable.  This is a skill that debate best teaches and high-level business people and professionals possess.

•    Research Skills: From traditional library research to the Internet, debate teaches you to become a world-class researcher.  Ask any college student and they’ll tell you how valuable this is.

•    Listening & Note taking Skills: Debate requires that you become a careful listener and good note taker.  This helps students get better grades and learn faster.

Many of this nation’s top lawyers, business executives, doctors, engineers, and elected leaders were involved in high school debate, and for good reason.  Simply put, debate-related skills help one get ahead and stay there.  The power to persuade is highly respected and there is no better way to master this art than through debate.

Being on the Southwest Debate Team is a great experience, looks fantastic on the resume, develops life-long skills and is fun!