If you are thinking about becoming a debater, you might be wondering what benefits you may be able to gain from the experience. Is it worth spending time and energy brushing up on your debate skills?

The short answer is yes, it is totally worth devoting some time out of your hectic schedule to develop and hone your debate abilities. The benefits of debating are well-documented in rigorous academic research papers that have been written over the past several decades. It is no wonder then that members of the debate club can often gain admissions into the most prestigious colleges and universities.

Read on to learn about the benefits of debating!

• Debating helps you develop critical thinking skills. Through researching and crafting your arguments, you can determine which pieces of information, facts and data are relevant to your case. 

• Debating allows you to cultivate a profound sense of empathy. Preparing for a debate includes anticipating the opposition’s potential arguments, which requires you to put yourself in their shoes. Furthermore, you cannot always choose which side you are on, which helps you to view and interpret the motion from another person’s point of view.

• Debating helps you become a more eloquent communicator, allowing you to convey your arguments in a structured and succinct yet impactful manner and to truly listen to what others have to say

• Debating allows you to become a better team player, as you discuss and collaborate with your teammates to construct a convincing case

• Debating builds your confidence in public speaking, which is an essential skill that will pay dividends - from college and job interviews, presentations, and discussions - throughout your life.

• Debating gives you more analytical eyes that can identify logical flaws in other people’s arguments. This helps you separate fact from fiction, especially in the post-truth era, where shared standards for truth are steadily being eroded.

• Debating improves your academic performance, from reading ability, grades, and interest in school. Better academic outcomes may lead to more opportunities in further education and the professional world.

• Debating allows you to find your communication style and voice, and equips you with the skills and confidence necessary to persuade others to support your cause, be it personal or professional. For example, you can convince others that gender equality is everyone’s fight, not just women’s, and you can convince a job interviewer that you are competent and worth hiring.

• Debating skills greatly overlap with leadership skills, which include clear communication, empathy, persuasion, and inspiration. Many iconic figures, like Oprah Winfrey, Nelson Mandela and politicians, were debaters.

We could go on and on about all the benefits that debate has to offer, but you probably get the point. Debate is extremely beneficial, both in the short- and long-run, whether in your private or professional life.