2022 Tournament Dates

Noble Debate Championships: April 23, 2022* (tentative)

What is debate?

Essentially, a debate is an argument with rules.

Debating rules vary from one competition to another, and there are several possible debate formats. Debates can involve single-member teams or teams that include several students.

In a standard debate, two teams are presented with a resolution or topic, and each team has a set period of time to prepare an argument.

Students typically don't know their debate subjects ahead of time. However, participants are encouraged to read about current events and controversial issues to prepare for debates. This can give teams special strengths in certain topic areas. The goal is to come up with a good argument in a short amount of time.

At a debate, one team argues in favor (pro) and the other argues in opposition (con). In some debate formats, each team member speaks, and in others, the team selects one member to speak for the entire team

Debate teams are valued for training students in public speaking, grace under pressure, and critical thinking. Student debaters have several advantages, whether they choose to join debate teams on campus or if they debate as members of a political club.

• Debating provides practice in developing sound and logical arguments.

• Debate gives students an opportunity to practice speaking in front of an audience and thinking on their feet.

• Students participating in debate show initiative and leadership.

• The research debaters perform expands their minds and increases their understanding of multiple sides of important issues.

• Students hone their research skills in preparing for debates