<p>Although, I am broadening my horizons by planning to take diverse courses in college varying from fields of science to business, from fields of medicine to law, pertaining to law prospects, which art is more efficient for lawyers, public speaking or debate?</p>
<p>both? none? doesn't matter :D</p>
<p>debate because you're forced to construct logical arguments that don't have any loopholes, or else your debate opponent is going to (and will want to) tear you apart. good logical thinking = useful skill for lsat and law school. if you can be a good debater, then the public speaking skills will come. the deficiency about public speaking is that it doesn't offer rebuttals or challenges that will force you to think on your feet.</p>
<p>I somewhat disagree. Try giving a speech in front of 4000 people, and then tell me what you think. Preparation will help you with debating though. Public speaking doesn't come as easy.</p>
<p>Debates are usually easier because it is formatted and you are sitting down, plus if things go ugly you can always do the O'Reilly method and talk over them. If you freeze up during a speech, you look like a total imbecile.</p>
<p>Either or. Law school is more like a question-and-answer - you don't debte your classmates or your professor. It's more like getting grilled for a while, even in oral arguments. From what little moot court I've seen, it seems more like public speaking - opening and closing arguments and direct examinations are very un-debate like. The only thing that comes close to a "debate" is x-examination - but even then, you ask all the questions. </p>
<p>Take public speaking or drama. Get used to being the ONLY one whose performance is appropriate at the moment - because that is what law school is like.</p>
<p>I'm a fan of debate, I admit, but other things are more important. </p>
<p>You should find out who is teaching each course and who is considered the better instructor if the two courses aren't taught by the same person. Also find out how many opportunities you will actually have to speak and how much feedback you will get in each course--will your speeches be videotaped? NOTHING helps you see all your little annoying mannerisms as much as watching them yourself! </p>
<p>Do you need help with research and analytic skills? While most people think of debate as public speaking, it's also very valuable in terms of developing these other skills. </p>
<p>If public speaking has a gazillion people in it and you give two speeches yourself in a semester and you debate every week in debate, choose debate. If in debate you talk once in a formal debate at the end of the semester and you give six speeches yourself in public speaking, choose the public speaking course. </p>
<p>In other words, look beyond the course name in choosing.</p>
<p>...quite interesting, terrific feedback thank you.</p>
<p>"will your speeches be videotaped? NOTHING helps you see all your little annoying mannerisms as much as watching them yourself!"</p>
<p>Wow, that would make me way too self-conscious. Oblivion and denial are the two reasons why I feel comfortable speaking/debating.</p>
<p>Either one is fine. Your objective should be to become comfortable speaking to groups of people, some of whom agree with you, some disagree with you and others are who are trying to figure out whether to agree with you.</p>
<p>Great advice on this thread...you guys are making me proud:D</p>
<p>Just to share...I love debate -but then again, I am into the "O'reilly" model; I talk over people:). I also love public speaking however. I have to mention that I considered myself shy up until I had my first natural "high" giving a speech, then I just fell addicted to it -my first speech was in front of 5000 people...so much fun! So, in short, I guess that what I am trying to say is: go out there and try both, if you absolutely hate them...well...try office work:)</p>
<p>I would recommend public speaking over debate, if you are going to take only one. In your life there will be a number of situations in which you will be asked, or will want, to give a presentation to an audience (even a small one) and some training in public speaking could help (there are other ways to get that training, however). Debate is a separate skill, but without being able to speak well you will not be very effective in a debate.</p>