How to Make a Debate Team

Debaters take turns speaking during a debate.

Debate teams are groups of students who compete against students from other schools by debating two sides of an issue. In order to succeed as a team, the debaters must follow the protocols of the governing body under which the teams are competing. Debate offers students an outlet to express themselves, while also encouraging strong research skills and helping to develop public speaking abilities. If your school does not have a debate team, making your own debate team provides the opportunity for interested students to join and see the benefits of joining.

Instructions

1. Speak with members of the administration in charge of clubs and activities, and fill out any required paper work to apply for the school's sanctioning of a new club.

2. Recruit fellow members of the faculty to build a staff of teacher chaperones to help run the team and work on the debate skills with the students.

3. Print fliers advertising the club, including when it meets, on bulletin boards in the school.

4. Read an announcement of the new team on the school's PA system during morning announcements.

5. Encourage students of all ages in your school system to join the team. The older team members are able to help teach younger students to ensure that when your oldest grade graduates you have strong replacements from lower grades.

6. Select interesting topics to cover during debate team meetings as practice debates.

7. Write talking points on index cards and randomly give one to each student during meetings, with each student then instructed to give a brief speech of one to two minutes on the topic. This develops the students' public speaking ability, and helps make the students comfortable facing a room of quiet listeners.

8. Work with the students individually to help develop their note-taking and refutation skills.

9. Encourage students to help each other develop skills, with stronger debaters working with those who struggle to improve their skill set.

References

• Middle School Debate; Building a Team