For the Longfellow Middle School Debate Team, winning is not just about speaking well – it’s about preparing yourself with the skills to outthink your opponents every round.
The team gathers every Monday and Wednesday after school, filling the Longfellow hallways with intellectual conversation and preparation for tournaments. For many members, the opportunity to explore new topics and develop informed opinions is one of the most rewarding aspects of debate. These discussions not only build knowledge but also encourage critical thinking and thoughtful communication.
“The debate topics overall provide me with more in-depth knowledge on current global issues,” Aliya S., a 7th grader said. “It’s amazing to learn about things I wouldn’t normally encounter in class and then be able to speak about them confidently.”
As part of the Washington-Arlington Catholic Forensic League (WACFL), Longfellow competes in monthly Public Forum tournaments. Public Forum is a fast-paced, 45-60 minute debate format where two teams of two speakers each argue either the pro or con side of a current global issue. The debate consists of constructive speeches, rebuttals, and crossfire, where debaters must think on the spot, answer their opponent’s question and defend their own position. Students are required to prepare both a pro and a con side case, ensuring they are ready to argue either side depending on the random generator before each round.
“Public speaking and my ability to think on the spot, such as rebuttals, have improved so much since I joined debate.” Aliya S. said.
While the ability to think on the spot is critical in debate, the preparation process is where most of the work lies. It’s not just about learning to argue, it’s about preparing enough to gain the confidence and public speaking skills required on the debate floor.
“Debate boosted my confidence in public speaking. However, believe it or not, I was very shy in middle school. I knew that participating on the debate team would force me to come out of my comfort zone, and I can confidently say that it did.” Coach Ryan K., a junior at Mclean High School said.
The road to joining the Longfellow Debate Team is not easy. Students must first navigate the pressure of tryouts, a difficult task that requires much preparation itself.
Coach Ryan K. explained what the judges look for during tryouts. “When evaluating students who try-out for the team, we usually look for confident speakers who have eloquent, well-crafted speeches. The most important aspect you need to be on Longfellow’s debate team is passion. Even if you start as a great public speaker or writer, debaters with passion will continue to put in the hard work and improve significantly.”
Luckily, all the hard work and dedication pays off for LMS Debate.
“When my partner and I looked at our results of our very first debate tournament, and saw that we won 3/4 rounds, and placed 14th out of 60 teams, an instant sense of pride and joy hit us. Besides, we are 7th graders, and most of our team is made up of 8th graders. That was such a huge accomplishment!” Aliya S. said.
The LMS Debate Team’s success is not just about winning tournaments, but about the journey of preparation they undertake together. Debate is a reminder that the true victory lies in the efforts and friendships built along the way.
