Week 2: First Debate!

There's a lot to say about this one, but I'll try to condense and summarize. Last Friday was the first time I ever had a real debate. I've always been a little hesitant to speak up in front of people (which is why I'm attending this class in the first place!), so when Ms. Krissy said we were debating, you can bet I was nervous. Well, in the beginning at least. I gradually eased up as my turn came up. A little strange, huh? I guess I just wanted to get it over with. Plus, everyone else looked natural and... hm, ready and composed, so I suppose they're performances gave me a little boost of confidence. Especially Tiff, all bubbly and laughing. Then Ms. Krissy called up the Member of the Government, and I inhaled and walked down the aisle with the clamor of thumps and wooos behind me. That helped lots. Thanks guys! (thumbs up!)

I'll be

honest that while I was up voicing my point to the opposition, I thought my performance w

as decent. I was trying to be as literate as I could without overdoing it. Unfortunately, I probably should elaborate on my points more and add more substantial information, since in th

e middle of it all I had a really unprofessional pause because I wasn't sure what to say next. I barely scratched four minutes (and the time limit was five). Before going up, I should estimate the time my points would utilize, then add to it if I have more time, whether the additions be refutes or increments of the house's previous statements. Obviously, to do so would take more analytic skills on my part.

That takes me to something else I should work on: creating strong refutations against the opposition. I realized that Michelle had some decent refutations that I think I could learn from. Then both Whips were good too, with a good amount of solidity in their speech's essences and mental composure.