By Juris Education Interview Team
The Rev. Dr. George LaMaster is the Director of Speech and Debate at The University of Notre Dame.
International Public Debate Association, British Parliamentary Debate, Civic Debate League, plus all AFA/NFA individual events and PKD speech events.
A diverse, close-knit community. Connections with colleagues and alumni across the country. Knowledge about the issues of the day. Practice advocating for justice. Quiet confidence and, of course, remarkable communication skills.
Life in college is full of choices. The most challenging part is deciding that this activity is for you. The reward? Lasting friendships, memorable adventures, and participating in a rich tradition.
They learn to compete for a higher reason than winning awards. Once they’ve articulated that internal motivation, every practice or tournament builds confidence.
Absolutely. The argumentation and speaking skills are obvious. Perhaps more importantly, they learn to listen with great care, empathize with the other side, represent vulnerable populations in conversation, and raise their voice in a way that honors civility.
Many alumni who have gone on to law school (as well as other careers) credit their success to this activity more than any other class or club.
If speaking in public is your worst nightmare, this activity probably isn’t for you. That’s OK. You can do a lot with a law degree other than be a famous trial lawyer. But if you think you might like it, give it a shot. There’s no better way to hone your skills.
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