Driving Question: How can we use a formal debate to convince an audience of our perspective?
Being a good debater is one of the most powerful tools someone can have. Not only can you portray your message effectively, but your message could possibly change the way people think, speak, and understand the world around them. It challenges us to dig deeper into ideas, to question what we hear, and to build arguments that actually matter. Every time we debate, we practice thinking on our feet, staying focused under pressure, and communicating with confidence. And during this project, we take on that challenge and discover just how capable we can be.
When my teachers first introduced this project to our class on Monday, I was absolutely thrilled. I have always been drawn to the art of debating, and now we have a project that lets us dive headfirst into it. Watching The Great Debaters has made me even more inspired, showing how powerful words, careful reasoning, and confident delivery can move people and make ideas impossible to ignore. The rules they shared make this challenge even more intense: we will only find out our topic and whether we are arguing for or against it 90 seconds before the debate begins. This means we have to be sharp, ready, and fully prepared at all times. Working in our groups will push us to think quickly, collaborate seamlessly, and build strong, persuasive arguments together. I am both nervous and exhilarated, but that mix of emotions only fuels my excitement.
My goals for this project are to grow in every aspect of debating. I am already a good public speaker, but I want to improve so I can present my ideas more powerfully, clearly and confidently. I also hope to improve my ability to think quickly on my feet, so I can respond to challenges and unexpected arguments without losing my composure. Strengthening my collaboration and research skills is just as important, because I want to be someone my group can rely on – someone who contributes ideas, supports others, and helps us reach our full potential. I aim to help my team work effectively and push us toward success, all while learning and growing as a debater myself, hoping to accomplish all this over the next month, to become “intellectual giants” as Miss Madsen hopes. We all must put our skills to the ultimate test in this debate project, tackling important topics and defending our ideas with conviction, to discover just how powerful our voices can truly be.