Arguing. When the word is heard, the common associations with it would be screaming and unorganized. But that is not what an argument is. An argument is a debate, a competition to win.
In debate, a topic will be given and the debaters will research this topic about various points they can make about it. To be affirmative is to agree with the topic, and to be negative is to disagree with the topic. Both people, after finishing their research, will then take turns speaking in front of judges who will vote who had the better argument and who they agree with.
Debate is one of the various classes in this school of monarchs. However, it can be accessed as soon as middle school if someone very well pleases, with tournaments even for middle school debate.
“I first learned about debate in middle school,” Abbigail Ledoux said. “A club had opened up.”
To join the debate club someone doesn’t need to go to debate class. In debate class they learn how to argue properly and can get a taste for how to debate in tournaments, which may teach whether or not they want to commit to debate.
“I’ve learned to understand arguments,” William Swenson said. “How I weighed arguments, and to understand the other side.”
There are an almost infinite number of debate topics that may be the topic of choice in a debate tournament. Anywhere from current events, to politics, and even abstract thoughts like world peace.
“A lot of philosophical debates and congress,” Swenson said. “Current events are interesting like abortion rights.”
Debate can take up a lot of free time that is instead used for researching and practicing, even up to forty hours per week. To make a proper debate, a strong argument, sources, and to be ready for counter arguments are needed to succeed. However the lessons from debate can make up for the time loss by leaps and bounds.
“I’ve learned to write a lot better,” Ledoux said. “I used to be awful, but now my english classes and grade is much better.”
To be a successful debater, many factors are needed that aren’t just research. Speaking in front of crowds and having the confidence to do so is heavily important as well, the number one importance is to know what you are talking about.
“Stand strong in your beliefs,” Swenson said. “Do not let anyone bully you out of them, because they may have false information.”
And so, when the word argument is said, instead of thinking about screaming between someone and their parents, instead think of a fun battle of wills to see who can be more convincing, and who is willing to put in effort.
