Did you ever experience having a debate in class?
By JasperTore
@JasperTore (1275)
Philippines
September 15, 2010 5:08am CST
First time in my whole life that I have been a speaker in a debate. It was my first time a while ago and I think that I haven't been prepared enough to deliver my speech. I was nervous and I felt like that my whole world will fall down. I have a stage fright and don't wanna be exposed to the public speaking of an issue in our society. But a while ago, I was in front of class delivering my speech about GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms). My hands were shaking out of nervousness and I can't concentrate on what I am talking so I read my speech very fast that I think my delivery was not that good because the idea became difficult for the audience to absorb. The good thing was we were able to win the debate against the government side.
How about you? Have you been in a debate in your class? How does it feel? Did you feel nervous or your just comfortable being with the audience? Share your experience to us. Happy lotting to all!
2 people like this
10 responses
@brean_rhea (176)
• Philippines
16 Sep 10
hi there jaspertore, yes i was been into a debate way back in my college days, i really do love debate, specially that i am taking political science... i always do encounter debate in my class, and so it makes me challenged a lot more because as i go through every debate, whether i won or lose i learned a lot...but in my first time to encounter debate i was really nervous and almost got collapsed because of the crowd...in the end, i was to get back my composure because we won the debate....
@JasperTore (1275)
• Philippines
16 Sep 10
First debate in our lives is very memorable because this became the turning point in our lives as speakers. I want to be a speaker in the near future because I know there will be an opportunity for it. I have to strive to be a good one so that my audience could understand what I am talking. Being able to reach your audience effectively is a characteristic that I want to become.
@gmarchana (16)
• India
16 Sep 10
I had got experience in debate many time.In my school life i used to participate in debate almost . The first debate i did in my life was advantages and disadvantages of coeducation
@ellyse2003 (1463)
• Philippines
15 Sep 10
When I was in high school we always have time to debate in class, we debate a lot of things but of course, before we do that, our teacher gives us guidelines on what to research and which group should take the yes and no side. In our debate there is no right and wrong. After the debate, our teacher takes the time to explain to us why she/he gave that subject and what should we do about it or things we can change on that matter. I also have a stage fright but learning on how to deal with problems on a debate help me a lot on how to deal with people and my new surrounding. I like your topic, keep it up.
1 person likes this
@JasperTore (1275)
• Philippines
15 Sep 10
Dealing with other people is a different case with me from my stage fright. Stage fright is stage fright, talking to other people is another thing. Well, I like your experience, I really want to be speaker to be able to express myself to the audience
effectively. I know that communicating orally in an effective manner will help me in dealing with other people and it will boosts my confidence.
@ellyse2003 (1463)
• Philippines
17 Sep 10
One trick my teacher shared to us. When you have a stage fright and nervous to talk in front of the class, better look at them in the forehead to practice on how to speak with them face to face. When you are ready you can now look at them in the eyes.
@chenxiaoyue_713 (2165)
• China
15 Sep 10
Yes, I once participated in a class debate when I was in college. It was an oral English class and my teacher divided the class into two groups and let us have a debate. I don't remember the exact topic, but we really had a hot debate. Everyone wanted to speak for his/her group. At first, I did feel very nervous because I used to have a stage fright, but as the argument went on, I gradually calmed down and could concentrate on what I was talking about. The most excited thing was my group won at last and I was named as the best contestant in my group and even rewarded by my teacher. lol.
1 person likes this
@JasperTore (1275)
• Philippines
15 Sep 10
That was awesome. I wonder if someday I could also do that in our class. I really want to be able to speak fluently in front of the audience without being nervous and getting the stage fright which is really killing me. I really want to argue on things that really interest me because its sounds cool to me.
@elmiko (6630)
• United States
27 Sep 10
yes i had a debate in my government class years back. i was assigned the topic of abortion and was to debate in favor of it. i personally didn't agree with the subject of abortion for the most part so i don't think i could of done as well as if i was debating against it. still i even though our team lost the debate i think we did quite well in it considering we only lost by 1 or 2 votes. the rest of the class not involved in the debate got to vote which side they were for.
1 person likes this
@JasperTore (1275)
• Philippines
30 Sep 10
Debating in an issue where you are not favor on the side that you were assigned is a good thing to experience. It makes you think critically on how you will defend the side despite the fact that the opponent has the upper hand. Despite your lose, it doesn't make you bad at all. The fact that the difference was only few votes was a sign that you have done your best in the debate. According to my professor, the debate is a way to discuss things in a way that you have to defend your side and make the audience agree with what you are saying. The more that you are persuasive and believable the more that you can gain the support of the people in your class.
Thanks for the reply!
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
15 Sep 10
I learned about debates in a high schhol English class. Debating is not as easy as it looks. A lot of preparation and research and dedication to an idea goes into a debate. l learned a lot of respect for people who earn their livings in careers where debating is a must!1 person likes this
@JasperTore (1275)
• Philippines
16 Sep 10
Yeah, people who earn a living through debate are really great. I wonder how they deal with people around them. Do they debate to their neighborhood when some misunderstanding arises?
People back then in the Greek and Roman Period used debate to show how intelligent they are. It is also used to build some policies and laws. They talked about the pros and cons of the decisions that they have came up with.
@rhodzptc (1317)
• Philippines
15 Sep 10
I have been and I was so nervous that time I don't even have the patience to deal a sarcastic and annoying question in a debate. One thing I learn in a debate that no body wins in a debate and this is the most disappointing part of a debate. Also not to mentioned the debate never ends.
1 person likes this
@JasperTore (1275)
• Philippines
15 Sep 10
Your funny! Well, a debate is a venue to answer social issues and other things in this world. Other than that, there is nothing more. So nobody really wins here, the thing is we just have to clarify things to make solution.
@rogue13xmen13 (14403)
• United States
16 Sep 10
Yes, I have had debates in my class before, and sometimes they have ended well, and other times, they have ended badly. For me, I usually never win the debates, I try, but I ended losing most of the time.
@JasperTore (1275)
• Philippines
16 Sep 10
Its not the win or lose that counts, its the experience. Experience teaches us to be a better person and it makes us stronger. Learning from your experience even it is good or bad is better than getting nothing at all. Always look at the bright side since that what make things beautiful.
@jpso138 (7851)
• Philippines
15 Sep 10
Yes, I was on several occasions. Well, during my college days, I have participated into various debates on different topics. I kind of like talking and arguing. But of course the very first debate that I have joined was quite scary for me. I did not have much confidence considering that it was my first time. But later on, I was also accustomed to such and it was good and I was flawing with ideas. Its really interesting to go on a debate. You can really learn a lot.
@JasperTore (1275)
• Philippines
15 Sep 10
Debate is a way to express your thoughts and opinions on things and current issues in the society. It makes you think critically on how to argue and defend your side. The good thing about debate is that you have to find a fault or weakness in the opponent's statement or argument and backfire it to them. That was what my teacher in our MBB1 class told us. Our debate a while ago was not that heated since the arguments of both side were not meeting so there was no excitement in the class but I thank God for giving me some courage to speak in front of my classmates. I hope this will be the start of my improvement in debates.
@winstonbaltazar (355)
• Philippines
16 Sep 10
I experienced having a debate but not likely in class but outside the class. I had a debate with my classmates, arguing with our group mates way back in college because of issue of overnight of my girlfriend on their house. It's bloody debate.. we've almost punch each other.
@JasperTore (1275)
• Philippines
16 Sep 10
Well, I didn't ask for a debate outside the class and the purpose of debate is to see which is better between two things being argued. There should be no personal motive involve. If you are arguing personally then don't get others be involved since its none of their business. Settle it between the two of you. Don't make the issue grow big because it will only make things complicated. I hope you understand what I mean. I didn't mean to offend you.
Thanks anyway for the posts. At least, its not all positive debate experience. Balance should exists to see the other side of things.
@misalax (307)
• Ireland
15 Sep 10
I've experienced it, only little ones though. Thing is, if you want the upper hand on debates, you need to read and learn bout your topic's background (if it has been given to you, goodluck if on the spot). Also you need to look prepared and ready :) Showing the other team nervousness is giving them a good hint.
1 person likes this
@JasperTore (1275)
• Philippines
15 Sep 10
Thanks for the reply. I really have this stage fright and I find it difficult to handle. I have my Public Speaking class in high school but the thing is it was different from today's situation. The audience are students whom I don't know and they may be making some bad impression to me because of my behavior in the debate. I have read my topic very well and I also did some research to make things clearer to me but my stage fright is the problem.
Thanks for the advice!
