Public speaking or debate as a class?

Question

Should I take public speaking or debate next year?
my goal is to be more comfortable giving speeches and talking in large groups in general.......any advice is appreciated! pros/cons are good too. If it helps, if you're in the debate class you're automatically on the team

what i meant by the question is WHICH one should i take? not if. thanks.

Answer 1

Debate.
The reason is simple. Ultimately you should have both. But public speaking classes and activities are relatively easy to find. Debate classes are not nearly as common--and being on a team makes it a double plus. So take the opportunity since its available.

That doesn't mean ignore public speaking. You can take a speaking class for credit in college--usually it will count as one of your required English classes as well--and aside from getting over the "fear of public speaking" its actually an easy class. Also, there are other ways of getting experience public speaking. As an example, a museum near me has a summer high school internship program where the students learn to give guided tours. But that's only one of many opportunities you can find.

Answer 2

Well, I was a terribly shy person and I found that by taking speech I was able to get up and speak somewhat comfortably in front of people. By that I mean that even though I still got some butterflies I knew that nobody else could tell! It was a really good experience because I learned a lot about all the different types of speaking a person has to do in life and how to prepare for those situations. I made my son take speech because he's kind of shy and he really enjoyed it and said it really made him a lot more comfortable with himself in front of people.

I actually ended up on the speech team and competed at the state level--quite an accomplishment for a person who in the beginning erupted in hives at the start of every speech!

Answer 3

Absolutely, GO FOR IT! Practice makes perfect, and what better place than among your peers? We're often most nervous, or hesitant to speak in large groups of our own peers, so why not go for the most opportunity you can in learning to do just that?

Good luck!

OOPS! Sorry, I misunderstood. Personally, I would choose debate over public speaking, because you have more challenges to confront in debate.

Debate teaches more in the ways of the "thinking" process, and how to counteract opposing views, without being made to feel insecure by those who will, undoubtedly disagree , from time to time.

Public speaking will outline more in regards to "how" to speak in public, i.e., making eye contact, loosing the Uh's, and ands to fill speech. It doesn't help as much in the THINKING process, at least in my mind. The more you're thinking "on topic", the less nervous you will be. Just my thoughts

Good luck, in whatever you choose.

Answer 4

Can you take both ?

Public speaking and debating are excellent ways to develop the skills you want.

Getting comfortable with both fields would be helpful in any career you choose.

Answer 5

confident, while locate that something of world isn't complete of geniuses your self self assurance will develop. 2 issues are required to be a great public speaker- self assurance and keenness, the two will substitute your character. bypass git them.

Answer 6

If thats your goal then yes!