Debating is an activity that can benefit students in a huge variety of ways, both inside and outside of the classroom. I am personally part of my school's debating team, and feel I have recieved huge benefits from my experience, both competing competitively, and participating in casual discussion. In this article, I intend to discuss the huge improvements this extracurricular activity can have on one's day to day life.

Debating is an activity that requires participants to discuss complicated topics, and even debate for motions they don't always agree with. Debaters need to research and analyze arguments, compare different pieces of evidence, and think thoroughly about the points they want to raise. This instills a sense of critical thinking, allowing participants to understand all points of view during an argument.

Secondly, debating improves communication skills. Debaters must present their motions in concise, effective and understandable speeches infront of their opponents. These skills are highly valued in many academic and professional settings. Furthermore, as public speaking is the number one fear in the UK, repeatedly speaking infront of large groups can help participants deal with, and even overcome this fear.

Thirdly, participating in debates can improve academic performance. Research has shown that students who participate in debating tend to perform better in academic subjects such as  english and history. This is because debating encourages students to improve their analytical skills and refine how they articulate the points they want to raise.

Finally, debating can have a positive impact on your life, both acedemically and out of the classroom. Debating teaches students how to work with their team, understand opposing viewpoints, and think critically about complex issues. These skills can be applied in all areas of life, in more ways than you could possibly imagine. From Christmas dinner politics to your next english essay, I promise you won't regret it when you apply the skills you got from debating today!