Parents, would you like to help your students learn to speak clearly and defend what they believe? Getting involved in formal debate is one option. Interested? Join Michael Farris and his guest, Christy Shipe, on today's Home School Heartbeat to find out more.
Mike Farris:
I'm joined today by my daughter, Christy Shipe. She is a wife and mother of three, and she was an award-winning college debater and helped found the homeschool debate league. She's also the author of a new book called Argumentation and Debate: Taking the Next Step. Christy, welcome to the program.
Christy Shipe:
Thanks, Dad.
Mike:
Christy, many homeschoolers today are involved in debate leagues around the country. What is formal debate, and how does it benefit students?
Christy:
Formal debate is an academic activity where students have the opportunity to debate a topic regarding current events in a round of competition, which means there's a judge who's going to make a decision about who won or lost the round. Some of the most important benefits, I think, of debate are that it develops students' understanding of their foundational beliefs, of their worldview, and teaches them to develop critical thinking skills so that they can relate all of their beliefs back to their worldview. They're able to learn to defend their beliefs and persuade others who may have a different worldview or who may even be hostile to their own worldview. And some other benefits are, debate teaches research skills, knowledge of current events, how to think quickly on your feet, and of course develop speaking skills.
Mike:
Christy, thank so much. Tomorrow we're going to discuss a way for homeschoolers to get involved in organized debate. I'm Mike Farris.
To find out more about high school debate and how you can order the Home School Legal Defense Association's debate textbooks, visit our website at http://www.homeschoolheartbeat.com. That's http://www.homeschoolheartbeat.com.
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You can find out more about debate for homeschoolers by going to NCFCA's website. And don't forget to check out two informative resources at the link below. An Introduction to Argumentation and Debate and its sequel, Argumentation and Debate: Taking the Next Step, were written with novice and experienced debaters in mind.
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