Clubs: Debate Team

If you want to pursue a law degree you need to choose clubs that will give you the skills necessary for a law career.

Look no further to NYU's ceda debate team. Every year we research, prepare and debate a topic about either foreign or domestic policies. This year, we are debating U.S. military presence in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. We debate both sides of the topic at every debate tournament.

Debate gives lawyer hopefuls a few very important skills:

1) Research: An experienced debater is able to sift through large amounts of evidence to find very specific parts that further their arguments. Similarly, lawyers are often buried in evidence and the skill of tactically researching to find exactly what you need to build your argument will help you win more cases

2) Strategy: Debaters know they can never win every argument, but they do know how to pick and choose which arguments they are winning. In the same way as a lawyer, you need to know what points you need to press and what points you need to leave alone. Also, debate teaches you how to deploy arguments for maximum effectiveness.

3) Handling pressure: With limited speech times, rapid delivery and complex arguments, debate can throw you a lot of curve balls. Debaters can answer some of the most difficult arguments well in only a matter of seconds. Similarly opposing lawyers have tips and tricks up their sleeves, and you need to be prepared to respond to them on the spot. With debate skills, you will be calm and collected and hopefully ready for any argument thrown at you.

4) Presentation: While college debate is research focused, you are expected to explain some of the most complicated arguments clearly and concisely to a judge. The ability to export complicated knowledge to laypeople helps make you more persuasive.

Debate is an awesome and enjoyable way to learn about the world and pick up new skills.

Hope to see you there next semester.

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