Why Create A
Handbook for Debaters?
- Because some coaches love their handbooks.
- Because coaches get tired of hearing, "You didn't
tell me that."
- Because debaters tend to get nervous and forget things.
- Because debaters are too lazy to "read the
book."
- Because debaters are too proud to show everybody that
they really work hard and this packet will give them an
opportunity to study in secret.
- Because experienced debaters are too proud to ask
questions and this, hopefully, will teach them a few new
tricks.
- Because novice debaters are tired of looking stupid and
this handbook will help them save face.
- Because the coach is the coach and what he says goes!
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Why
Bother To Debate?
- Because debate improves communication skills giving
students an edge on everybody else whom they must compete
with for a job - just a minor detail.
- Because debate provides a unique educational experience
by the way it promotes depth of study, complex analysis,
and focused critical thinking giving students an edge on
everybody else whom they must compete with for a college
education - another minor detail.
- Because debate introduces the social sciences giving
students an edge on everybody else whom they must compete
with for one minor detail called "real life."
- Because debate teaches an awareness of options open, of
consequences involved, and of the steps required for
implementing an alternative giving students an edge on
everybody else whom they must compete with for something
called survival.
- Because competitive debate and speech looks good on a
résumé or application giving students an edge on
everybody else whom they compete with for an unimportant
item called money. Because debate teaches confidence in
ability and ideas giving students an edge on everybody
else whom they compete with for one minor detail called
self-esteem.
- Because debaters get to kick other people's behinds, they
get to mentally lord over others, and they get to crush a
few bones - because Shelbyville High School debaters,
including beginners, win over 65% of all rounds in which
they compete.
- Because the District and State Tournament will cause
debaters to miss three or four days of school.
- Because the coach will really get ticked off if you don't
debate and that's not good for one's health or peace of
mind!
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Facts
about Debate & The Real World: "The results
of a recent survey of those responsible for hiring, for a variety
of Midwest businesses, listed debating first among 20 other
activities and academic specialization's that an applicant might
present on a résumé." (D.B.
Center, "Debate and the Job Market," Debate Issues
15:4-6, 1982) "Keele and Matlon concluded that 90
percent of debaters have attained at least one graduate degree [6
years of college]. 30 percent of their sample are university
educators, while another 15 percent are top ranking corporate
executives. Ten percent are now working in the executive or
legislative branches of the government. They suggest that these
ratios do not vary between those who graduated 25 years ago and
those who finished within the last five years." (L.M. Keele and R.J. Matlon, "A Survey
of Participants in the National Debate Tournament,
1947-1980." Journal of the American Forensic Association,
1984, 20: 194-205)
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