How we'll help you start debating

The Cambridge Union Schools Debating Competition 2009/10The Cambridge Union Schools Debating Competition 2009/10The Cambridge Union Schools Debating Competition 2009/10

Competitive debating is, at its simplest, a structured argument.  It takes what everyone does in the playground and formalises it into a controlled and regulated format to allow for a more thorough and productive engagement with the issues.  A debate can be about anything.  Should London be hosting the Olympics?  Should diving in football be punished more severely?  Should women obey a self-help guide which tells them to 'be sexy and obey men'?  Accordingly, the best introduction site that we can think to ease students into debating is www.debatewise.com - specifically their sections on Sport and Arts & Entertainment.

Beyond this, the convenors have this year put together a comprehensive program to introduce BP debating to teachers and students currently unfamiliar with it. The strategy has four main components:

  1. Debating workshops taking place nationwide in September 2009
    Led by some of the world's best debaters, these workshops are available free of charge to any students who want the opportunity to get some introductory training to debating – click here for more information.
  2. Debating mentors
    Schools entering the competition will be offered the chance to be assigned to a debating mentor, should they so wish. The mentor's role will be to act as a contact point for any questions you might have related to debating. Whether it be advice on how to come up with 2 speeches' worth of arguments in 15 minutes, ways to increase membership of a debating society, the contact details of local schools who also debate to allow you to set up practice debates, a list of possible motions to run for internal school–debates or advice on how best to use statistics to support an argument, your debating mentor will endeavour to help you as best they can.
  3. Our free guide to BP debating
    Written by some of Cambridge's most experienced debaters, download it here.
  4. Advice on setting up and running a debating society.
    Download our guide here