Speech and debate presence on campus outweighs that of mock trial

Strolling down the halls, students couldn’t help but eye the golden letters decorated on the richly contrasting black fabric, permeating every corner of the school and defining the very essence of club attire. These, of course, are the prided speech-and-debate sweatshirts.

Simply put, our slogan “#WEBREAK, #WEPLACE, #WEWIN” may be synonymous with the consistent success the team has seen. More importantly, however, the prevalence of these shirts reflects the influential presence of the club on campus, a presence that few other groups can rival.

Some might have heard of mock trial, where students compete in a simulated courtroom setting during one February tournament. Some might have even compared this group to speech and debate (where we also wear fancy suits may I add); but truth be told, mock trial just doesn’t stand to the same prestige or breed the same rewards that speech and debate does.

To give an example of how little presence mock trial has on campus, beginning of my freshman year, I wasn’t even aware of the group’s existence. I didn’t see its stand during any of the three days of Club Rush, didn’t know who was involved and never saw any mock trial apparel.

Speech and debate, on the other hand, was (and still is) a much more renowned organization that I was immediately drawn to, a group that has rightfully cemented its status as a top program on campus.

Some argue that speech and debate is a breeding ground for arrogance and cockiness. This is true but only to a certain extent.

That debaters are arguing with assertiveness is only a testament to the fact that through this activity they have found the confidence to voice their opinion, a necessary confidence in these times.

Additionally, while mock trial may be a good place for aspiring attorneys, speech and debate provides a much more well-rounded approach for gaining communication and research skills relevant to a larger world beyond the confines of the courtroom.

From practicing how to captivate audiences in “Dramatic Interpretations” to thinking on their feet in fast-paced Policy debates, students develop skills in speech and debate that form the basis of what all people, even lawyers, fundamentally need first.

How can you defend a criminal if you can’t clearly enunciate each word? How can you step up to the stand without knowing how to refute every possible loophole to an argument first?

As for critics who say speech and debate breeds bad habits, including learning “how to cheat one’s way to victory” or even that it teaches no real skills, talk to some debaters and you’ll be astonished by how much they have learned.

Taxes, foreign policy and government legislation are only a few of the nuanced topics debaters research inside and out in order to prepare for tournaments; and while mock trial members are preparing to prosecute a fake defendant aligned with a fake political group and who supposedly assassinated a fake opponent, debaters are understanding vital information applicable to the world around them, one case at a time and during multiple competitions through the year.

While both groups involve public speaking, the simply more prestigious speech and debate team builds fundamental skills that even mock trial fails to. Nowadays, the ability to speak up knowledgeably and fight for what is right is more crucial than ever before. Ultimately, the verdict in this case is indisputable: Speech and debate’s influence and practicality in today’s society clearly outweigh that of mock trial.