Following a debate against a team of teachers on the topic of democracy during Peace Week, senior students Fope and Lauriane reflected on their experiences in Speech and Debate. Fope has a focus on science through Advanced Placement (AP) courses in chemistry and physics, while Lauriane completing the full International Baccalaureate program with High-Level subjects like Economics and History. Despite pursuing different academic pathways. both share how engaging with distinct perspectives from their own in Speech & Debate club has allowed them to not only gain a broader understanding of different worldviews but also valuable skills for becoming more effective communicators, in favor of a more respectful and empathetic society.

 

“Debate is about listening and helps you argue efficiently,” says Fope. “You’re able to show people why you believe what you believe, but also recognize their side as well. It helps you communicate more effectively and build better connections.” Indeed, the ability to argue efficiently and respectfully is a skill that both Fope and Lauriane believe is critical for societal participation. Lauriane adds, “Even when you don’t agree with something, you might be able to see why someone might have that opinion. It’s not about removing your own bias, it’s more about recognizing the other side as well, even if you don’t personally agree with it.”

 

Preparing for debates involves more than researching facts or crafting clever retaliations. It’s about understanding how one’s personal biases interact with the arguments being made. Fope explains, “You keep your personal opinions in mind when writing your points down, and think about what the other side might say that could make your belief shake. It’s like playing devil’s advocate.” Most importantly, this process of acknowledging both sides of an argument, even when personal views differ, has a profound impact on the way Fope and Lauriane approach communication, not only in debate but in potential real-life discussions as well. Lauriane reflected that this practice is especially important in politics, where arguments are often oversimplified and polarized. “The biggest mistake we make is to remove all nuances. I see it the most in politics,” she says. Fope highlighted the need for mutual respect in communication further: “Different opinions often cause a lot of conflict and hostility. Being able to argue effectively helps you tolerate other people’s opinions and respect their beliefs, which is really important.”

 

 

 

As Fope and Lauriane prepare to graduate, they reflect on how the skills they've gained in Speech and Debate can be applied in their future endeavors. While Fope plans to pursue engineering and Lauriane aims for a career in international law, both believe the communication and critical thinking skills developed in debate will be invaluable in any field. “Even if you’re an introverted person,” says Fope, “debate can help you become more assertive in your beliefs.” Both encourage students to join Speech and Debate not just to improve public speaking, but to learn how to structure arguments, engage respectfully in discussions, and broaden their understanding of the world. “Debate opens up your views,” Lauriane says, “You don’t have to agree with everything, but you have to believe in your argument. That’s how you truly convince others.”

 

Empathy, however, is at the heart of an effective debate. Lauriane explains, “It’s key to debating, especially in controversial topics. Often, the reason they’re controversial is because they are so emotional to people. Empathy helps you understand that the person across from you has the same emotional connection to the topic, and to keep their opinion separate from who they are as a person. Without empathy, you’re not really listening, which makes having an actual and effective discussion difficult to achieve.”

 

In ASH’s vision for building healthier societies, empathy plays an important role. Speech and Debate club is a great example of how implementing values into the curriculum can have a direct impact in creating better human beings, who in turn, can create a better world.