Debate is one of the most underrated activities in high school. Whether you’re naturally argumentative or not, debate teaches skills that are directly applicable to every future career: clear communication, structured reasoning, and the ability to think fast.

Types of Debate in High School

The most common formats are Lincoln-Douglas (LD), Policy Debate, Public Forum (PF), and Congressional Debate. Each works differently. LD focuses on value-based arguments between two debaters. Policy Debate involves teams of two arguing complex policy proposals. Public Forum is the most accessible format — it features current events topics that change every month, so you don’t need years of experience to compete effectively. Congressional Debate simulates a legislative chamber.

What You Actually Learn

Debaters learn to research thoroughly, construct logical arguments, anticipate counterarguments, and speak confidently in front of an audience. The ability to argue both sides of an issue — which debate forces you to do — makes you a more nuanced thinker. Many lawyers, politicians, executives, and teachers were high school debaters.

Speech Competitions

Speech events include Original Oratory (a prepared persuasive speech you write yourself), Extemporaneous Speaking (impromptu arguments on current events given 30 minutes of prep time), and Dramatic/Humorous Interpretation (performing literature). Speech is for students who want to develop communication and performance skills more than argumentation.

Debate and speech competitions build a kind of confidence that is rare in high school — the ability to speak clearly and persuasively under pressure, in front of strangers who are judging you. That skill doesn’t go away.