Debate

“Deliberation and debate are the way you stir the soul of our democracy.” (Jesse Jackson, 1941--)

I used to judge High School debates.  I did so when my son, and later my grandson, were debaters.  As a judge, I recognized some very particular characteristics and skills shared by all of the really accomplished debaters.

A good debater was a good researcher, prepared with the facts. In my son’s time, debaters carried large and sometimes multiple boxes filled with articles and information, sorted and filed, pertaining to all aspects of the debate question.  Good debaters understood the value of thorough documentation. By the time my grandson was in debate, file boxes were no longer needed. Instead, files were downloaded onto much easier to carry personal computers.

A good debater was a good critical thinker able to use facts effectively, as building blocks to a logically constructed argument.  Reasoning, backed by solid information, sustained their case.  A good debater could distinguish logic from fallacy.  Perhaps the worst, and certainly the most offensive, of the fallacious arguments was the Ad hominem argument. Only an unskilled and unprepared debater resorted to personal attack and insult.

A good debater was a good communicator and an effective persuader.  A good debater spoke clearly, made good eye contact, used humor judiciously, and mixed raw data with illustrative stories and examples.  I would describe a good debater’s demeanor as calm and confident, assertive but not aggressive.

A good debater not only had to speak . . . a good debater had to listen.  An opponent’s argument had to be heard and understood.  A good debater then had to follow-up with an effective rebuttal.  A good rebuttal often required the debater to be a quick and flexible thinker, able to adjust to new and unexpected twists and turns.

A good debater, going into a meet, had to be prepared to argue either side of the debate question, both the affirmative and the negative.  Debate questions were typically complex, requiring the debater to examine the question from multiple perspectives.  I suppose that a good debater even learned to appreciate that, in life, the most difficult questions often lack definitive answers.

Those who learn debate learn invaluable skills. Personally, I believe that debate should be part of the required High School curriculum.  Debate teaches skills of critical thinking along with skills of good communication. All students could benefit.

I think that many students would be shocked to find out that debate, as taught in High School, is something vastly different than “debate” as practiced and modelled on T.V. by our public servants.  When Trump and Biden were running their campaigns, we did not see a debate.  We witnessed a spectacle.

I recently heard in the news that Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has challenged Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to debate the Green New Deal.  I doubt this debate, or spectacle, will occur.  But should it happen, I would love to come out of retirement and judge once more. I know the characteristics and skills necessary for a good debate. But do they?