debating.

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This is an article I wrote a few months back after the trip down to INTI Nilai for the Debate Championship, I thought of sharing this with you.

Debating by Aaron WM Lim

"Thank You Mr. Speaker; and a very good morning to the honourable adjudicator, precise timekeeper, worthy members of the opposing team, members of my team and members of the floor." Now, doesn't this salutation sound very familiar? You must be thinking "where have I heard this before?" Let me answer that question for you; it's simply the salutation given by a speaker in a debate competition. Ladies and Gentleman, IICP’s recent participation in the INTI national inter-campus debate championship did not reap a harvest of victories, but instead, it reaped more than what we’ve expected – Experience, Exposure and Endurance. How many of you have ever experienced something like this? Which one of you would want to take on this role and burden to fight for your stands? The exact purpose of this article is to make you realize the fun and joy of debating, the power of attraction it emits.

The majority of you may be diffident and shy when it comes to joining the debate team. You may think of it as a burden, and as an encumbrance, but let me enlighten you; this is anything than a burden. Participating in debate is not only an act of courage, but it’s an opening of doors to knowledge that’s incomprehensible - knowledge that’s never been penned by authors in books, nor recorded in any form of writing. The recent trip down to INTI UC Nilai widened our perspectives, broadened our knowledge and added to your experience. In a debate, one is given the opportunity to express his views, fight for his stands, and argue for what he thinks is right, but all done in a manner that people may respect and accept you. Standing on the debate floor, you’ve already acquired the power to influence and convince the audience sitting before you to listen and agree with what you said. Now, isn’t that an ecstatic moment and an intense feeling of victory?

The ability to stand in front of a crowd, presenting your views under heavy verbal bombardment, to not being intimidated by arrogant opponents; taking your opponent’s offensive hits and hitting them back with harder and irrefutable blows, whilst maintaining a cool head, rational and critical thinking is not a skill any textbook could teach, but instead all these is gained through experience in debating. Debating isn’t only a pass time or one’s interest, but it’s the foundation of how we live our lives in the near future. It helps one develop the skill of critical thinking, spontaneous and almost instant reactions, identifying flaws and loopholes; taking advantage of these gaps and climbing to the position of victory – doesn’t that make you a winner?

Therefore, ladies and gentleman, this short composition is to ensure that you realize your own true potential and strengths. When faced with challenges, hardships and asperities, you will find the strength to endure and persevere; and to finish the race. The debate team isn’t for those with superior debating skills, we were all once nothing, but have cultivated and cultured into the habit of debating. I therefore urge you to join IICP’s debate team if you are interested, by doing so; you’re not only taking a small step for the present, but one huge leap for your future. By joining the debate team, you eventually learn that teamwork is indispensible, reading up on current issues is important, and critical thinking is a must. I shall leave you to ponder about it, ladies and gentleman of the audience. Thank You.

signing off,

Aaron WM Lim