Research, reasoning, and public speaking skills are a couple of the benefits that come with learning to be a good debater. From planning an argument, (even if it’s one you disagree with) to choosing words carefully, debating can prepare students to take on many challenges that life may throw their way.

Debating is not the same thing as being involved in a full-blown argument. Students have to prepare a compelling and succinct argument, which will gather support and backing, rather than just attacking an opponent.

Here are 10 ways that debating can benefit you:

Improved Critical Thinking Skills

While you may not engage in a debate every single day, it is likely you will get into differences of opinion or small disagreements on a daily basis. Debating, rather than arguing, can help participants ease a situation that was otherwise escalating in the wrong direction. Instead of raised voices, it is important to take a step back and choose your words carefully.

Debating will help you develop critical thinking skills that are essential in daily life. Critical thinking allows someone to make well thought out and reasoned arguments while also questioning the evidence behind another stance taken by someone else.

It will help you become curious about new ideas whilst at the same time also maintaining skepticism and building a healthy attitude to questioning. It can even help you become more humble, you might not be correct all the time!

Improved Articulation

Have you ever experienced that feeling when you cannot get the words you want out, or you can’t get them out quickly enough? Debating can help you master the art of explaining several topics.

From your favourite book’s plot to complex maths equations, debating will help you find your audience and choose an appropriate tone. If your tone is too formal, you may distance yourself from your listeners, while being too relaxed may undermine the arguments you attempt to make.

Articulating and planning your thoughts is an essential skill that all debaters need to have in order to produce sharp and well-planned arguments.

Improved Research Skills

The argument matters in any debate, even if you don’t personally agree with it based on principle. The delivery of your winning speech is another essential factor. Maintaining eye contact and keeping cool and calm have been proven to be really effective techniques when debating.

Just as important is the method with which the debater constructs the debate. Your arguments need to be coherent, and must make clear and concise sense. The best debaters keep all of these things in mind as well as the key elements they have learned through education. For example, finding and reading sources, drafting and writing speeches, and also being able to listen and speak in a confidently manner.

Quick-Thinking

Challenge your opponent, by using out-the-box thinking, and by being prepared to identify any gaps in their counter-arguments. Responding to comments and questions, and thinking on your feet are essential debating skills. Thinking quickly can prepare you for just about any situation that daily life presents to you when time is crucial, and a decision must be made quickly.

Resolution of Conflict

A skilled debater will be able to remain focused on their goal and not stray from the topic or issue discussed. Like any great orator, you will need to remember who you want to keep on your side and present a personable argument. Doing so will make you appear immediately more likeable and amenable.

Accepting a loss with grace and taking accountability for your mistakes are essential skills, both in daily life and in debating. They’ll also help you resolve any conflict before it can even begin, so be sure to accept any constructive criticism that comes your way.

Doing so will make you a far more proficient and polished speaker in the long term.

Greater Empathy

Successful speakers will always be empathetic while participating in any debate. You may not agree with the argument that you have been assigned, but empathy is going to allow you to at least understand the beliefs of the people that do agree with the argument.

You are not being asked to agree with the argument of the opposition, but empathy is a critical life skill nonetheless, as it helps you improve your interpersonal relations on a professional and personal level.

Emotional Control

Good debaters can also maintain an element of composure and poise, addressing the issue at hand rather than letting it carry them away. In fact, managing your emotions is not only a useful skill when it comes to debating but will earn you respect in almost all other aspects of your life.

Of course, you should not be entirely devoid of emotions when debating. Relating to the subject matter on an emotional level is vital too. It ties in with empathy, as it will allow you to understand both sides of the argument and enable you to decide how to structure your argument.

Finding Meaning in Complex Situations

Practicing your debating skills will also allow you to form meanings from what are generally pretty complicated topics. From banning nuclear energy to world peace, you’ll be able to form a better argument if you take the time to research the topic and develop the points you want to make carefully.

A critical skill for any good debater is to find solutions to previous problems and compile creative solutions and ideas. Making the best of a bad situation and thinking outside of the box will only be beneficial in the long run, allowing you to take on any challenge, no matter how challenging.

Presentation Skills

Your presentation plays a vital role in how you are perceived as an individual by others and how you are perceived as potential competition. Speak slowly and with clear enunciation, and consider what it is that you are going to say.

This will make for a clearer understanding of what you are talking about and make for better reasoning. Displaying skills in presentation will earn you immediate respect both while you are debating and in other situations where you need to be in front of a group of people talking.

A Broader View of the World

Debating can also help individuals develop a new view of the world around them. Debating has students studying topics that usually would not cross their minds, providing them with a deeper understanding of our society and the world we live in.

A broadened worldview will also encourage learners to appreciate their achievements and talents while also appreciating their upcoming opportunities.

Concluding Thoughts

Debating is an excellent school tool to encourage higher-order and critical thinking skills. It teaches students to structure and organise their thoughts while also developing their analytical and research skills.

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