<p>Hey, I am a currently a junior and high school and recently have had an urge to pursue debate and logical argument. I know I have started very late in my educational career, but is there any way I could become an excellent debater? I, of course, know it will not come overnight, and am willing to work exceptionally hard. Can anyone recommend me any books to help guide me? Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>books? eh, i dunno, i'm sure there are some out there...my advice would be to learn by doing. do lots of practice rounds, and spend a lot of time with your debate team (hopefully your school has a good, active one). </p>
<p>a good website to read up on if you want to try Policy is <a href="http://www.cross-x.com%5B/url%5D">www.cross-x.com</a></p>
<p>Is there a debate, forensics or Junior Statesman type of club at your school?
Or maybe a young democrat/young republican club?</p>
<p>To be pursuing a different extracirricular "late" in your highschool carrer shows that you really want to take the initive to learn. Speaking as a third year student congress competitor, I'll tell you it'll take a lot of hard work. I think you should:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Decide which event you eould like to compete in. Guides to different events are available at the national foransics leauge website. Ask around for advice. Tell people your interests and see in they match your event. If interested in Logical argument i'd stay away from interp (speech & acting) events. I'd compete in either student congress, lincoln douglas, or extemp. For me Student congress would be the only way to go. You act as a US Senator, vote on bills, ect. It is very strucutred to some boring but I thinks its awesome. I am able to pose as a SEnator, meet a plethora of students from other schools, stay informed, taint a chamber, and have fun.</p></li>
<li><p>Watch debate-like shows such as crossfir, faith under fire, ect. Pay attention to, in your mind, makes a speaker great. Take note of these characteristics and use them.</p></li>
<li><p>Attend a debate summer camp, if possible, this will give you experience. It will also give you critisism from professionals.</p></li>
<li><p>Stay informed on current events to be on top of the debate heap</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Besides the obvious such as practice and observation, are there any books to offer an insight into argument and debate, something that would introduce it and could serve as a survey on debating. </p>
<p>Thanks for all the help.</p>
<p>Yes, there are many book, but none of which I have read to tell you honestly there is a lot of uneeded info introduced in those mbooks, HOWEVER they will farmiliarize you with the rules, the event, ECT. Books include</p>
<p>Basic debate; 4th edition</p>
<p>Gifted Tounges:High School debate</p>
<p>Argumentation and Critical desicion making</p>
<p>Discovering the world through debate</p>
<p>all these can be found at amazon.com</p>