Everyone debates, and has done so all their lives; anytime two or more people with opposing viewpoints trying to convince each other (or some third party) of an idea. When you tried to convince your friends that getting one more round of drinks was a good idea, you were debating (though perhaps not coherently). Being a good debater means you're better at convincing your parents to let you borrow the car. While you have been debating all of your life, most of it has been informal, and you probably never debated in favour of something you oppose unless you were playing devil's advocate.

The UW Debating Society is involved in formal debating, which isn't quite the same. Debates are between teams of two, each person speaks for a predefined time and you are expected to argue any side of an issue. This may seem difficult at first, but you will quickly learn that there are a wealth of arguments to be made on either side of any complex issue and you may even find that your previously held beliefs start to change. Debaters also develop an ability for quick thinking that serves them for the rest of their lives.

That said, the UWDS doesn't limit itself to the mundane. We debate about virtually anything that the average informed person would know about. It could be economics, sports, politics, entertainment, or anything in between. Even if you do not follow current events closely, most debates are based upon fundamental underlying principles, independent of specific facts. It's the ability to recognize these ideas that benefits a debater long after they've hung up their wig (no we don't actually wear wigs, but we do pretend). Needless to say, if you're discussing these issues on a weekly basis, you will learn a lot in a short period of time and soon impress friends, family, and potential employers with your worldly knowledge.

Email: contact@debate.clubs.feds.ca
Website: http://debate.uwaterloo.ca