The Power of the Voice

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The Power of the Voice
A person speaks and argues every single day, but do you know that there is an actual art for speaking and arguing? Created by speakers and debaters long before today, the art of Speech and Debate has taken hold upon the American high school and college life. Before my first debate, I was nervous and shivered in fear of the outcome. However, I felt like I was part of something. With judge looking at me and the timer in his hand, I began my first speech. It all just happened in a whirlwind and all of a sudden the judge called the end of the debate. It felt like forever, but then the judge finally gave his vote to my partner and me. I had actually won! I could not believe it. That first debate inspired me to write my I-search paper on Speech and Debate. What is Speech and Debate?
Speech and Debate is an academic sport that challenges its members and allows them to compete. From Humorous and Dramatic Interpretations in the Speech category to Public Forum and Policy Debate in the Debate category, this activity allows its members to increase their critical thinking, motivation and engagement in their work.
I want to see what actually makes Speech and Debate unique? Which one is better?! What makes a speaker not also be a debater, or vice versa? What are the pros and cons of debate and speech? As I delve deeper into the very art of debate and speech I will be trying to be answering these very questions. What will I find? What will be my conclusions?
The Speech and Debate community has been managed by the National Forensics League, also called the National Speech and Debate Association, since 1925. It has so far enrolled over 1.4 million students from high schools and colleges throughout the country. As a non-pro...

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... some great stuff, but it teaches you a lot about the world; such as history, current events and philosophy. Without debate, I would never have known that Frank B. Wilderson is a great figure in fighting modern racism or that capitalism had so many flaws. Imagine how great it would be if everyone in the world knew how to publicly speak or debate over controversial topics; such as racism and capitalism (and not just go fight all the time). I am getting off topic here, but Speech and Debate is a great community to be part of no matter who you are.
At the end of this I- search, I can finally say that you can’t just say that “Speech is the best” or “Debate is the better than all!” No matter which division of Speech and Debate you choose to join, remember one thing: Your part of a great community that consists of some of the brightest minds America has to offer.

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