Reasons for participating
Debating is the art of researching, constructing and presenting
an argument.
As well as looking fantastic on your 'personal statement' in your
UCAS form for university and on a CV, it's a life skill that will
help you in every aspect of life. Here are some personal examples
of where debating has helped me in the past:
- answering questions at interview - particularly when I was
asked to speak for three minutes on why I was the best applicant
for a particular job
- making a case to my parents on why I needed a computer for my
school work
- having more confidence when giving presentations - something
most of my friends and I have found is a part of a lot of jobs
(from retail sales to law!)
- breaking complex information down into short and clearly
structured arguments (we hate to mention essays and homework - but
this is something that helped at school, uni, and in my work
life)
We also think debating is good fun. You get to meet new people
and have the chance to go and see other schools in competitions. If
you do well in debating, you might even make the Scottish Schools
team and attend a 'Worlds' debate - these have been held from Paris
to Peru. For everyone in the competition, there is the chance to
see your face in the local, and if you make the final, national
papers. Everyone who takes part also gets a small gift from our
sponsors.
Like all competitions, there will only be one winning team at the
end, but it is the taking part that counts. Last year saw 128 teams
compete, that means 127 teams not winning - but everyone left the
competition with new skills, more confidence, new friends, and the
feeling they had learnt from the challenge and from the
experience.