Chapter 8. Debating

Debating is excellent training. It teaches one to think quickly and logically, not to be afraid of an audience, and is undoubtedly the best of all training in public speaking. Not only are these powers to be gained by the practice of debating, but the debater who is accustomed to speaking will carry the same clearness of thought, confidence and positive ness of speech into business and social life, where he is sure to excel.

Daniel Webster, when asked the secret of his genius, replied: "There is no great secret. I simply keep my mind on my work. When a debate is before me I study the question in all its aspects. I think of it, dream about it. Day and night it is before me. The final effort I make people are pleased to call genius:"

It is an excellent plan to begin your debate by saying: "It is with great interest I have listened to the eloquent remarks of the gentleman who preceded me, and I fully agree with him as to," etc., etc. "But how, on some other points, he could go so far away from the real facts at issue, I cannot at all understand." Then proceed with your argument to point out how far from the facts your opponent is.

The following interesting and instructive article on "Public Speaking in American Colleges" will repay careful reading. The author, Mr. Byron V. Kanaley, is not only a most interesting speaker, but has given the subject careful attention and study, as will be noted by the fact that he was leader of the Notre Dame University victorious teams for four years and President Harvard University Debating Association for several years.