Importance of Debates

Essay Writing Topics for High School and College Students

Importance of Debates 

Debates form an important part of normal education. Debates are held and arranged from time to time in schools and colleges. A debates is a discussion or argument on an important subject on which people may have different opinions. In the Parliament and legislatures issues are debates in detail before a decision is taken on them. In public subjects of social, national and political importance are discussed and debated and then opinion is formed about them. A debate or meaningful discussion is a democratic way to reach wise decisions. Debates help in finding widely acceptable and sane solutions to the problems.

Man is a rational being and so he wants to analyze, debate, discuss and argue about important issues, problems, matters, ideas and plans. The debates become all the more important in democratic and free societies. No decision can be imposed upon the public before they are convinced about it. And the only way to convince the public is through debates and discussions in open through mass media and on platforms and stages. Thus debates, discussions or public speaking become of crucial importance for success. It is the only way to carry a message across. A good debater can easily win over public support and become popular. Efficiency in debates and public speaking can be developed and cultivated if there is strong will and motivation. It is both an art and technique. We have several occasion to develop this art and technique. Besides formal debates, and question-answer sessions in the schools and colleges, we have opportunities to address a group of friends, preside over an informal meeting, hold group discussions, introduce a speaker, speak in social gatherings, canvass in school and college elections and organize meeting. Our conversations with friends, parents and others are also occasions to acquire and improve our debating skills and abilities. If we are conscious and aware about it here are scores of opportunities to develop these skills. What is needed are strong will perseverance and practice.

All good and famous leaders and speakers have been excellent debaters. It is they who lead the people and the world. They shape the destiny of peoples and mankind. They set in motion, the wheels of events of great importance. For example, Quaid-I-Azam, Maulana Muhammad Ali Johar, Fatima Jinnah just t name a few, have been very expert debaters and public speakers. They possessed the power to cast a spell on their audiences. Successful public speaking has always been an infallible means of achieving success, fame popularity recognition and acceptability.

To be a successful debater it is essential that there  is a sound and through preparation. It needs a proper planning and preparation. A good debater knows his subject well. He studies all the material available on the the subject before speaking in the debate. He studies books, magazines, newspapers and consults in writing. Reads them again and again discusses them with friends and teachers and then makes a final draft.

A sound preparation generates desired confidence. Self-confidence is of great importance in public speaking and debates. It is the sure key to success. Only a self confident speaker can best sell his arguments and ideas. Only a debater with self confidence can convince his audience. There are no chances of success for a debater lacking in confidence. To attain confidence prepare well, attend lectures, debates, talks, etc. Listen the good and well known speakers as often as you can. Take notes and commit to memory the important points. Debaters often become nervous, confused and tense for want of sound preparation and confidence. Never be cowed down by failures in the beginning. Take them as a challenge and carry on your efforts to win success in debates and discussions. There is hardly any famous speaker who did not fail in the beginning. All good things are different before they are attempted and achieved. Therefore, never lose heart and try, and try again.

Practice well and have rehearsals before actual debate. Stand before a mirror or a mock audience, or a sample audience and read aloud your written material a couple of times. Better if you practice with the points noted down on a piece of paper. Practice makes a man perfect. Practice until you are satisfied. You can also use the tape-recorder etc. for this purpose.

What we say in a debate is important but how we say is also equally important. our arguments should be sound, sincere and convincing. You should speak eloquently with enthusiasm and be natural and spontaneous in your delivery. Don't be stiff or self conscious on the stage. Be relaxed assured and polite but firm. Let there be nothing halfhearted or half baked. Never feel inferior or hopeless. Always be positive and think of the best success. Try to develop good and eloquent voice. Avoid nasalization and too many movements of your hand. Stand erect firm but relaxed. Neither speak too loudly nor so low that you are not distinctly audible.

Students who are successful in debates and discussions also succeed in other fields of life. They have the skills and abilities to become good leaders, politicians and parliamentarians. They can become very successful salesman, managers, advocates etc. Success is assured to a good debater in these fields of life because he has the power to persuade, convince and carry the people with him. He can reason out discuss and carry his message across the people successfully.