DEBATING SOCIETIES

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 199, 23 May 1925, Page 20

DEBATING SOCIETIES

THEIR HISTORY, DEVELOPMENT AND FUNCTIONS

Debating was a favourite diversion of the middle ages, and to this day that tradition remains with us in Italy and America. In the former country candidates for the “Laurea” (which may be likened to our B.A. degree) have to hold arguments with their examiners, whilst in. America there are formal courses in debate in which preparation and oral statement of argument are considered in the awarding of the degree. Many years ago one of the most popular items in the commencement proceedings at American universities was the holding of _ debates, when the various societies within the university argued momentous questions in the presence of admiring "freshers” and friends. In most countries to-day where freedom of speech is enjoyed we find numerous debating societies, more especially in our intellectual institutions, in the schools and universities. The value of these societies will readily be admitted. Thev not only, train men and women in the’ art of public speaking, thev do much more than that, for the subjects discussed usually deal with important problems of social, religious, and political life. Thev train people to think before they speak, for debating lies not so much in saying something as in having something to say. In “Tom Brown’s Schooldays” the author remarks that "there’s no exercise in the world so good for the temper and for the muscles of the back and legs” as boxing, and those words may surely be applied to debating as well. Some people can think and write well, but when it comes to delivering a speech their thoughts and words lose much in the telling. Thev have not acquired that coolness and easiness of manner and speech which typifies the accomplished speaker. ' The best sharpener of individual thought and expression is public discussion. A debating society intelligentlv conducted stands for the making. the constructing of systematic discussion. The intellectual training of debating is most beneficial. To per-

suade your audience that you are right vou must first of all know your subject. Debating is thinking aloud, and in order to convince you must have your thoughts logically arranged. However, it must always be remembered that debating does not consist of hairsplitting, nor of a general talk on an unfamiliar subject. To be familiar with the subject _it must necessarily be prepared. Material has to be accumulated from books, newspapers, or in the experiences of the debater himself. Practice before debate is essential. As with a play, so with a speech, rehearsals form a most' important part of the production.

To some people a debate is quite as serious a matter as an operation or a general election. They speak with a seriousness and solemnity that is wellnigh overpowering, indeed, they appear almost choked with seriousness. Humour is tlie sauce of debate, ft gives a fine flavour. Bacon said:— “It is good in discourse and speech of conversation, to vary and intermingle speech of the present occasion with arguments, tales with reasons, asking of questions with telling of opinions, and jest with earnest.” A debater who can introduce plenty of light and shade into his speech is sure to obtain the attention of his audience much better than he whose speech is either all light or all shade. Debating sharpens the wits, for as Bacon truly said, "If a man confer little, he had need have a present wit.” It is to acquire that present wit, amongst other things, that people debate. The study of history proves the great value of speech, the faculty of giving utterance to cogent statement. When we read an account of the debate that occurred in 1529 between Zwingle and Luther; the magnificent orations of Cicero ; the noble contentious of Lincoln; the learned arguments of Edmund Burke; the brilliant addresses of Lord Rosebery, and the -passionate appeals of the statesmen of our day for a world peace, then do we realise how advantageous is the accomplishment of the art of speaking.—“ The Age.”