The first blank page...

Memories are sweet ...

Not a fact ...

Don't raise your voice ...

12 Ways Debating Will Help You for the Rest of Your Life

Reasoning, research and even public speaking skills are just some of the positives behind learning how to be a great debater. From planning your argument (even if you don’t agree with it) to choosing your words wisely, debating will help you take on whatever life chooses to throw at you.

Debating is by no means the same as entering into a full-on argument. In fact, you will need to develop a succinct, effective argument, which will gain you support and kudos, rather than blindly attacking your opponent.

From Cicero to Churchill, history’s great debaters have helped shape the world we live in and resolve many of society’s issues. Here are 12 ways that debating can help you in your life for years to come.

1. Be a better critical thinker

While you might not debate on a day-to-day basis, chances are you will get involved in small disagreements and differences of opinion. Debating, instead of arguing, can help you defuse a rapidly escalating situation. Rather than raising your voice, take a step back and choose your words wisely.

Debating helps you to develop essential critical thinking skills – the ability to make reasoned and well thought out arguments in addition to questioning the evidence behind a particular stance or conclusion. Critical thinking will help you become curious about new ideas while also retaining a level of scepticism and building a healthy attitude to questioning. It will also help you to become more humble – well, you can’t be right all the time!

2. Articulate your thoughts

Ever had that feeling when you just can’t get your words out quickly enough? Debating can help you become even better at explaining a whole variety of topics. From explaining complex mathematical equations to the plotline of your favourite book, debating helps you to identify your audience and choose the appropriate tone. Too formal a tone will only alienate you from your listeners, while being too relaxed might undermine your own arguments. The ability to articulate and plan your thoughts is key in debating, producing a well- planned out and sharp argument.

3. Education is key

In any debate the argument matters, even if you don’t agree with it on principle. The manner in which you deliver your winning speech is also incredibly important: keeping calm and maintaining eye contact are all proven as effective debating techniques. Last but not least is the method in which you put your debate together. Are your arguments coherent? Do they make sense?

A good debater will keep all of these in mind in addition to the core elements they have acquired through education (reading and finding sources, writing and drafting a speech, speaking confidently and being able to listen) – useful both inside and outside the classroom.

4. Think on your feet

Think outside of the box, challenge your opponent and be ready to identify any loopholes in their counter-argument. The ability to think on your feet and respond to questions and comments is essential while debating – hesitating could cost you precious time and points. In fact, the ability to think on your feet could stand you in good stead in any situation which life throws at you, when time is of the essence and a decision needs to be made fast.

5. Conflict resolution

A good debater will remain focused and won’t stray from the issue they are discussing. Just like any successful orator, remember who it is you want to keep on side, and present a personable argument – you will appear instantly much more amenable and likeable.

Knowing how to lose graciously and accept your failings are important skills, both in debating and during everyday life. This will also help resolve any conflicts before they have a chance to begin. So, accept any criticism that comes your way. It will make you a much more polished and proficient speaker – and human being – in the long term.

6. Show some empathy

A successful speaker will always maintain a degree of empathy while debating – you might not believe in what you have been assigned, but empathy will help you understand and accept the beliefs of others. Nobody is asking you to agree with the other party’s argument, but empathy is an important life skill, helping you to improve your relations on a personal and professional level.

7. Keep your emotions in check

A good debater will also remember to retain an element of poise and composure – addressing the issue rather than getting carried away emotionally. In fact, managing your emotions will not only stand you in good stead while debating. It is no easy skill to manage, but will gain you respect in every walk of life.

8. Construct meaning out of complex situations

Debating will also help you learn how to construct meaning out of, what are usually, rather complex topics. From world peace to banning nuclear energy, taking the time to research the subject and carefully construct the points you want to make will help you construct a better argument.

Finding solutions to a previous problem and compiling creative solutions and ideas are also key skills for any good debater. Thinking outside of the box and making the best of a bad situation are excellent traits to have, meaning you are prepared and ready to take on any challenge, no matter what the size.

9. Presentation skills

Presentation plays a crucial part in how others perceive you as an individual, and more importantly, as competition.

Consider what you are going to say, speak slowly and with clear enunciation. It will make for better reasoning and a clearer understanding of what you say. Good presentation skills will earn you instant respect both while debating and in future situations.

10. Confidence boost

Good presentation skills will also help boost confidence – helping you to shine at interviews or work related events. If you are confident you feel more able to take on increased responsibility and even take some risks – helping you to stand out as an individual. A polished overall presentation and confident speaking manner will make you a memorable individual.

11. Be more socially conscious

Debating is a skill which requires any individual to be much more politically and socially aware of current affairs. In fact, debating also requires you to address a whole range of diverse social issues and viewpoints. Being more socially and politically aware is not only important while debating but it will also ensure that you connect and relate better to others, both socially and in the workplace.

12. An expanded worldview

Debating not only touches on political and social topics, it can also help individuals acquire a totally different worldview too. Debating means students study topics that they wouldn’t normally consider, meaning they have a deeper understanding of the society and the world which we live in. An expanded worldview also encourages students to be proud of their talents and achievements, in addition to being more appreciative of the opportunities that await them.

Being more conscious of the world we live in will stand you in good stead for the future – even if you don’t win the debate this time.

[This article was written by St John’s-Ravenscourt School. Over the last 28 years, students at the Canadian school have been named World Debating Champion on 14 occasions. Students of all ages and skill levels practice various forms of debate and travel across the country and the world competing.]

Your vision will become clear ...

2018: Merry Christmas

A blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year, to all of you. May we all be blessed with plentiful rain.

Loving Father...

Things money can't buy ...

Your success ...

“In many mainstream educational settings, students are often not able to question or challenge the ideas presented to them; debate gives them a platform do just that, but in a productive and structured way. We don't argue, we debate, and that distinction is one that students carry with them after leaving the classroom. I would regularly hear continued conversations at tables in the cafeteria as debate students excitedly shared the day's topics with their friends, referencing both sides of the issue and wanting to continue learning on their own time.”

[Emily Ray, Debate Teacher, St Andrews 2016]

10 Reasons Why Everyone Should Join Speech and Debate

I spontaneously decided to join my school’s speech and debate team. At the time, I just wanted to try something new and step outside of my comfort zone. However, I was definitely not aware of the vast intellectual and personal growth that I would experience from being in debate.

In my opinion, speech and debate is the most useful extracurricular activity to participate in during high school.
[Lori Woo]

Here are ten reasons why.

1. You get to advocate about issues that matter to you. This year, I wrote a speech about being introverted and how our society is constructed to place quieter people at a disadvantage. My teammate, who is transgender, does a dramatic interpretation piece about intersex people. It is quite common for debaters to present cases on 
   structural oppression, racism, and patriarchal norms. You can literally talk about anything, and there are a wide variety of events that you can tailor to fit your interests.
2. Your team becomes your family. I met some of my closest friends on the speech and debate team. We travel all over the country together for tournaments and share plenty of laughs everyday in class. Not to mention, very intelligent people tend to do debate, so you’ll receive plenty of help with your homework! 
3. You learn how to deal with failure and embarrassment. Debate tournaments provide a safe environment for learning how to brush off your mistakes, learn from them, and ultimately move forward. People won’t judge you, either, because everyone’s been there at one point or another. 
4. Writing essays becomes a breeze. Have to write an argumentative persuasive essay in English? Just think up a rebuttal in your head and you’ll have three pages written down! Have to write a paper that analyzes a current event? You’ll have hundreds of articles already filed for you to choose from. Doing speech and debate drastically improves your linguistic and logical skills, along with your ability to construct strong arguments in a short amount of time. 
5. You become more adaptable. One of the most challenging yet exciting aspects of debate is that you can’t foresee exactly how the round will play out (i.e. what case your opponent will read, the judge you’ll get, which side of the debate you’re on). Eventually, you’ll know how to think of responses to multifaceted arguments on the spot and appeal to judges who would normally disagree with your position. In public speaking events, you learn how to quickly adapt to your judge, audience, and room layout. If you forget your speech in the middle of performing it, you learn how to improvise. Adaptability is a necessary skill for success in life, and speech and debate develops it. 
6. Colleges LOVE students who are in speech and debate. According to Professor Minh A. Luong of Yale University, students who participate in extracurricular activities that develop “oral and written communication and the ability to organize ideas and present them effectively perform better in college.” After all, other activities, such as sports or music, don’t really engage people’s critical thinking skills as much as debate does. Also, speech and debate is an extremely competitive and time-intensive activity, with tournaments almost every other weekend. Winning awards and having leadership positions demonstrates to colleges that the student has invested a large quantity of effort and time into their events. 
7. Your public speaking skills improve. This one is obvious but nonetheless very important. I used to shake with nerves whenever I had to present a short PowerPoint to my class. Now, I’m not only no longer scared to speak in front of my peers, but I actually look forward to it! Public speaking is very self-empowering once you become comfortable with it, and it’s also a very admired skill that you can take with you for the rest of your life. 
8. You meet cool people at tournaments. As much as I dislike waking up at 5:30 in the morning on Saturday, getting to see my friends from other schools makes this small sacrifice totally worth it. Since tournaments host such a diverse group of people, they are great for networking and making new friends. 
9. You become woke af. Whether it’s doing research on a debate topic about gun legislation or delivering an extemporaneous speech about whether Donald Trump should repeal the Trans-Pacific Partnership, speech and debate truly opens your eyes to what’s happening in the world. You’ll also become informed enough to form your own critical stance on these issues. 
10. It’s fun! I’m not going to lie; being in speech and debate is hard work. However, nothing is more rewarding than the feeling of making my audience bust out laughing or having someone come up to me after the round and tell me that my speech really spoke to them. Plus, you get to travel a lot, which is always exciting (and the school pays for most tournaments).

No WiFi ...

What is debate?

A debate is a form of public discourse; it is a formal direct oral contest or competition in argumentation between two or more people on a defined proposition at a specific time. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, debate is “a formal discussion on a particular matter in a public meeting or legislative assembly, in which opposing arguments are put forward and which usually ends with a vote.” (The Oxford English Dictionary, 3rd Edition, Edited by J. Simpson and E. Weiner. Clarendon Press, 2010).

A debate, therefore, is a formal, disciplined, and rule-governed contest/competition that is conducted within a set framework. A debate may comprise single participants or teams that include several students. In a typical debate, two teams are presented with a proposition that they will debate, with each team given a set period of time to prepare their arguments. Debates are performed in a structured setting that gives all participants a chance to present and defend their arguments.

In other words, the two debating sides are given a proposition to debate. The Affirmative side of the proposition – also called the Proposition – advocates, supports, and upholds the resolution. The Negative side of the proposition – also called the Opposition – opposes and refutes the resolution; as such, they deny the stance of the Affirmative. Stated differently, the Proposition is the team that attempts to secure the acceptance of a proposition. The Opposition is the team that attempts to secure the rejection of a proposition. It is vital that the proposition should take a definite stance on an issue.

Basic debate styles vary widely in terms of their format, time limits for speeches, the order of speeches, and how arguments are presented. In addition, debating formats vary from one institution or organization to another and debating rules will differ from one competition to another. Despite these differences, debates also have many features in common. Overall, debates are very common in social, political, religious, and educational environments.

Although the topics addressed in a debate can be virtually anything, most debates tackle controversial issues that appeal to the audience. Certain debates also allow for audience participation where attendees can pose questions to the debaters.

[More info]

'n Vroeë kersgeskenk ...

Mnr. André van Dyk het 'n vroeë kersgeskenk gekry, toe 'n skrywer hom kontak met goeie nuus. Ons kan nie die aap uit die mou laat nie, ook nie ou koeie uit die sloot grawe nie, maar sonder om te blik of te bloos, kan ons sê dat die hoë bome by HTS die meeste wind vang.

Mnr. Van Dyk lyk maar net soos iemand wat oor koeitjies en kalfies gesels, maar mense wat dink hy praat deur sy nek, sal op hulle neuse moet kyk, as die geheim op die lappe kom.

Die redaksie besef dat die lesers nie die kloutje by die oor gaan bring, na die lees van die artikel nie. Hou egter die bekendstelling van nuwe boeke in die pers dop ...   

Leen julle ore uit of spits julle ore, binnekort sal dit op almal se lippe wees. MINstens gaan 'n klomp mense verras wees. Viva woorde!!

How to become a debater!

If you want to talk the talk, you first got to walk the walk.

If you’re a learner between 12 to 18, all you have to do to become a debater is:

Find out which of your teachers is the school’s debate coordinator. 

If one of your teachers is already running a debate club in school, join the club. 

Practice debating with your teammates and stay connected to activities through your teacher.

Benefits of debating ...

Decades of academic research have proven that the benefits that accrue as a result of engaging in debate are numerous. Debate provides experiences that are conducive to life-changing, cognitive, and presentational skills. In addition, through debate debaters acquire unique educational benefits as they learn and polish skills far beyond what can be learnt in any other setting.

At the very least, debate helps learners to see the power of deploying rational, reasoned arguments and compelling evidence in action. It enables them to elucidate their standpoint through utilizing rhetorical eloquence. It instills in debaters a great sense of poise and confidence. It teaches them the skills of researching, organizing, and presenting information in a compelling fashion.

In general, the benefits of debate include:

Gaining broad, multi-faceted knowledge cutting across several disciplines outside the learner's normal academic subjects.
Increasing learners’ confidence, poise, and self-esteem.
Providing an engaging, active, learner-centered activity.
Improving rigorous higher order and critical thinking skills.
Enhancing the ability to structure and organize thoughts.
Enhancing learners’ analytical, research and note-taking kills
Improving learners’ ability to form balanced, informed arguments and to use reasoning and evidence.
Developing effective speech composition and delivery.
Encouraging teamwork.

[More info]

'n Oratoriese kragtoer ...

'n Kenmerk van Pule wat deur sy hele skoolloopbaan uitgestaaan het, is sy nederigheid. Op 'n stil manier het hy berge verskuif en groot kompetisies gewen. Hy het 'n vlymskerp brein as dit by redeneer kom en hy het hierdie vaardigheid geslyp met die hulp en raad van sy mentor, Lesala Khetheng.

As voorsitter van die skool in 2017 het hy op dieselfde manier opgetree. Hy het graag ander gehelp en het gedurende hierdie skoolvakansie, voordat hy aan die PAN AFRICAN-kompetisie gaan deelneem het, vir Lesala kom help om die skoolspan af te rig wat aan die SA-kompetisie gaan deelneem het. Beskeidenheid en hulpvaardigheid is inherent deel van sy menswees. Die skool is trots op jou en Tekkie Tonic hou jou vordering met 'n valkoog dop. Viva debatteerders.

2017: Ondervoorsitter - Johan Pretorius en voorsitter - Pule Mmula

Well done, Pule

Pule Mmula on the far right

Six speakers from the UFS Debate Society all finished in the Top 25 speakers of the 2018 Pan African Universities Debate Championships in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The teams of François Brits and Tshiamo Malatji, Gugulethu Sihlali and Pule Mmula as well as Khotso Khokho and Siyanda Rixana ranked 4th, 5th and 9th respectively after the preliminary rounds.

All teams qualified for the quarterfinals, but only Brits and Malatji qualified for the Grand Final where they debated against teams from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana, the Midlands State University (MSU) in Zimbabwe and the University of Ghana. UFS finished the tournament in third place behind KNUST and MSU.

UFS previously finished first in 2008 and second in 2016.

The tournament comprised of 64 teams from institutions across Africa and took place from 5-12 December 2018. In total, South Africa had four teams representing the country. Three from the UFS and one from Wits - University of the Witwatersrand.

[Info: Lesala Khetheng]

C11 se vensterprojek!

Drie bekwame manne het gou C11 se vensters 'n nuwe voorkoms gegee. Katleho Soke het die vensters gewas en synde op die boonste verdieping te wees, was dit geen maklike taak so tussen die diefwering deur nie.

Rethabile Majoe het die heel boonste ruite geverf met swart bordverf, sodat die lig nie so helder is wanneer die dataprojektor in gebruik is nie - op hierdie stadium nog net 'n belofte.

Kgosana Moeketsi het sy kreatiewe kant afgestof en solank inspirerende boodskappe op die vensters begin skryf.  Al drie hierdie leerders het gedurende die vakansie kom werk. Dit maak van hulle Tekkie-sterre!

                     

Kimberley-personeelnaweek ...

Teamwork ...

Beursonderhoud ...

Soos 'n wafferse ervare reisiger staan Katleho Letsaba by die ingang van die Bram Fischer-lughawe op pad na 'n beursonderhoud in Midrand.

Vodacom het die belowende beursaansoekers se vlug-, sowel as hotelkoste vir een nag betaal. Dit is belangrik vir enige maatskappy om die studente vir wie hy 'n beurs gaan gee, in die oë te kyk om te sien of die mens op papier dieselfde mens in lewende lywe is.

Baie sterkte, Katleho en hou Tekkie Tonic op hoogte ...

Friendship ...

Gholf-oefening vir die ongeoefendes ...

'n Paar van die personeellede het gaan balle slaan op die gholfbaan in Bothaville. Die enigste terugvoering was dat dit baie lekker was en dat dit 'n jaarlikse instelling moet word.

Fotograaf: Lizbe Sauer  

Sport(s)liefhebbers en gholfondersteuners ...

Die klompie dames het uit meegevoel met die ervare gholfspelers solank die innerlike versterk.

Invisible...

'n Hamburger-en-skyfie-groet!

2018 se laaste skooldag het uiteindelik na 'n besige en uitputtende jaar aangebreek - ook vir die onderwysers. En voordat elkeen by sy of haar beplande vakansieplanne uitkom, het van die damespersoneel 'n heerlike ete aanmekaar geslaan. Dankie vir die kosspan wat altyd so entoesiasties en vol planne is.

Foto's: André van Dyk

Bo-dine Botha, Lindi Rode, Sheree Nieuwenhuizen en Alet
Harding besig met die eerste stappe van die hamburgers.

Totsiens, mnr. Vernon Harding ...

Vandag is daar afskeid geneem van mnr. Vernon Harding. Dankie vir die amper 7 jaar se positiewe insette by HTS. Gelukkig is dié "totsiens" net 20 treë weg van die kantoorblok en is ons gerus dat die IQMS-helpende hand nie ver is nie. Geniet die vakansie en mag die toekoms net goeie gesondheid inhou.

Foto's: Alet Harding en André van Dyk